I dunk for a livingand now I’m in Shaq’s league.
I’m Dylan Haugen, a 5’11” professional dunker from Minnesota. I got my first dunk on a regulation rim at 13, and I’ve spent the years since turning that into a career: six contest wins, over 100 million views, and a spot in Shaq’s DunkMan League.
Signing with Shaq’s DunkMan League
The DunkMan League is Shaquille O’Neal’s professional dunking league. It grew out of the old Dunk King show, came back as DunkMan, and is now becoming a real competition: a tournament-style pro league built entirely around dunking. There’s never been anything like it for our sport.
I committed to compete this summer. For dunkers, this is the closest thing we’ve ever had to a true professional stage, with one of the biggest names in basketball putting his name behind it. It’s the opportunity I’ve been working toward since I was throwing down on low rims as a kid.
I broke the whole story down on the Dunk Talk Podcast: I Signed With Shaq’s DunkMan League.
The Journey
I started messing around with dunking at about 11 or 12, throwing down on low rims and falling in love with the feeling. At 13 I got my first dunk on a regulation hoop. At 5’11”, that’s not something that comes easy, but I was hooked and kept pushing. I started posting clips around age 12, and what began as training videos turned into an audience that has now watched my content more than 100 million times across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Along the way I’ve been featured by Dunkademics, one of the biggest dunking channels in the world, and was interviewed by KARE 11 News for a segment on my journey as a young pro dunker.
First regulation dunk
Got my first dunk on a 10-foot rim at 5’11” and never looked back.
First East Bay dunk
Landed my first East Bay at 5’10”, one of the dunks that put me on the map.
First contest win
Won my first dunk contest in Minnesota.
First out-of-state win
Got flown out to my first out-of-state contest and won that one too.
Six contest wins and counting
Strung together six contest wins across the country, competing against some of the best dunkers in the sport.
Shaq’s DunkMan League
Committed to compete in the first professional dunking league.
Contests & Shows
Every contest win and dunk show, on video. From my first contest to going back-to-back, here is the full run.
Nickle Dickle 2024
My first official dunk contest win. I closed it out with a reverse dunk over three people.
Underground Hoops All-Star Weekend
Won the contest at Underground Hoops, trading powerful dunks off the crowd’s energy.
Twenty3 League Contest
Closed the contest with an inverted scorpion over someone, a dunk that had never been done in a contest before.
TBL x Flying Cows All-Star Weekend
Another contest win on the road, throwing down in front of an all-star weekend crowd.
Nickle Dickle 2025
Returned and won again, going back-to-back, closing with a reverse dunk over my brother standing on a chair.
Governors Challenge 2025
Took over the dunk contest at the Governors Challenge as an 18-year-old.
Daniel Freitag Camp Halftime Show
A halftime dunk show with the Minnesota Dunk Squad at the Daniel Freitag Camp All-Star Game.
Spring Lake Park Halftime Show
A halftime dunk show I put on at a Spring Lake Park basketball game.
Beyond Competing
Outside of my own contests, I try to build a community around dunking and push the sport forward, mostly through the Minnesota Dunk Squad and the Dunk Talk Podcast.
Get in Touch
Want a dunk show at your event, a contest run, or a collaboration on content? Whether it’s a school pep rally, a tournament, a gym opening, or a live shoot, let’s talk.
Email Me dylanhaugen23@gmail.com