Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren Seeks To Become The First In Franchise History To Do This
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend is shaping up to be a showcase for the frontcourt, and the Detroit Pistons are officially sending one of their best to the main event on Saturday night. According to reports from Shams Charania, Pistons center Jalen Duren has accepted an invitation to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2026.
Detroit Pistons Jalen Duren Adds Another Even To All-Star Weekend
When fans think of the Jalen Duren’s potential in the dunk contest one word comes to mind: power. Since entering the league, Duren has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier lob threats and most aggressive finishers. While some contestants rely on intricate mid-air acrobatics or props, Duren’s game is built on sheer force.
Historically, big men have faced a unique challenge in the dunk contest. The visual aesthetics of a 6’10” center dunking can sometimes look less impressive than a 6’3″ guard doing the same move, simply because the big man is closer to the rim. However, Duren possesses a rare combination of vertical leap and hang time that could allow him to break the “big man curse” that often plagues centers in this event.
Duren is enjoying a career year in his fourth season, anchoring a Pistons team that has transformed into a legitimate contender alongside Cade Cunningham. His participation signals a shift in the contest’s field, moving toward players who actually dunk in traffic during games rather than just exhibition specialists. Fans can likely expect dunks that emphasize power, potentially paying homage to the days of Shaquille O’Neal or Dwight Howard, where the goal wasn’t just to score a 50, but to threaten the structural integrity of the backboard.
Detroit Pistons Dunk Contest History
When Duren steps onto the court in February, he will be entering rare territory for his franchise. He is set to become just the fourth player in Detroit Pistons dunk contest history to participate in the event. The list of predecessors is short and spans decades, highlighting just how infrequently Motor City representatives make the cut for this specific showcase.
The lineage begins with Allan Houston, who participated in the 1994 contest. It wasn’t until 2000 that another Piston, Jerry Stackhouse, threw his hat in the ring. The most recent participant was center Andre Drummond in 2016. Drummond attempted to bring creativity to the event, famously donning a superhero cape, but fell short of the ultimate prize.
This scarcity of participants underscores a significant drought for the franchise: no Detroit Pistons player has ever won the Slam Dunk Contest. While Detroit has a rich history of championships and defensive excellence, the individual flash of the dunk contest trophy has eluded the organization. Duren now has the opportunity to do what Houston, Stackhouse, and Drummond could not—bring the trophy home to Detroit.
The Field: A Battle of the Bigs?
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2026 is shaping up to be a unique battlefield. Alongside Duren, the field includes San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes. With one spot still waiting to be finalized, the current roster suggests a heavy lean toward size and athleticism over small-guard finesse.
Jaxson Hayes, much like Duren, is known for his in-game athleticism and ability to catch lobs from anywhere in the arena. Carter Bryant brings a mix of size and skill that could offer a different stylistic challenge. For Duren to stand out in this group, he will need to combine his natural power with a level of creativity that surprises the judges. The challenge for Duren will be proving that a traditional center can provide the showmanship required to win over the crowd and the judges in a modern contest environment.
Can Duren Make History?
The narrative surrounding Jalen Duren entering this contest is compelling. He is the anchor of the best team in the East, a first-time All-Star, and now a dunk contest participant. He has the verticality to execute dunks that few others can, but the key will be execution.
Big men often struggle with the “wow” factor because they make difficult dunks look too easy. Duren will need to use his power to his advantage, perhaps utilizing the rim sound and impact to emphasize the difficulty of his slams. If he can channel the energy he displays on nightly alley-oops from Cade Cunningham into a structured 50-point dunk, he has a legitimate path to victory.
As the fourth Piston to ever try, the pressure is low, but the potential reward is high. If Duren can capture the crown, he won’t just add a trophy to his personal case; he will finally check a box that has remained empty in Detroit’s storied basketball history for over three decades.
