Hey guys—Dylan Haugen here. I’m 17 years old, 5’11, and from Minnesota. If you’ve seen my dunks online or have watched the Dunk Talk, you probably already know this, but I wanted to write something up for those who’ve asked:
About five months ago, I made the decision to quit high school basketball.
This wasn’t a quick decision, and it’s something I went back and forth on for a while. But the more I grew as a dunker, the more obvious the choice became. Here’s the full story of why I made this call, how it’s been going, and what I’m chasing now.
Why I Stopped Playing Basketball
To be clear—I’m not anti-basketball. I’ve played for most of my life. But the last few years, I just haven’t loved it like I used to. At the same time, dunking became my obsession.
By the end of last season, I was:
- Playing 5–6 days a week
- Dealing with brutal knee pain (quad tendon, patellar tendonitis)
- Barely able to lift or train
- Watching my vertical drop from ~39 inches down to the low/mid 30s
And I wasn’t enjoying it. Long school days, late practices, no energy left for what I actually love—dunking.
Even though I played for the sophomore team and had some good moments (including 6 in-game dunks and a poster), it wasn’t worth it. Once it ended, I skipped AAU (summer basketball) entirely, and that’s when things clicked for me.
What’s Changed Since Then
Now that it’s been five months, I can confidently say this was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I finally got to train without wrecking my body. I could focus on recovery, get consistent in the weight room, and actually jump pain-free.
Here’s what’s happened:
- Jumped 41.5″ at Utah Dunk Camp
- Hit my first behind-the-back and hide-and-seek at Wisconsin Camp
- Started lifting seriously—365lb quarter squats for 3 reps, 205lb hang clean for 2 reps
- Landed my first Underboth, along with many other complex trick dunks
- Won Multiple Dunk Contests, including the Nickel Dickle in September of 2024, and another for Underground Hoops in February of 2025
I even started going to a new gym, which has allowed me to go heavy on Olympic lifts. For the first time ever, I feel like a real athlete—not just someone trying to survive practice every day.
I’m Not Alone
My co-host on the Dunk Talk, Hunter Castona, had a similar experience. After getting benched in high school (even when he was scoring), he lost his love for the game. But through dunking, he found a whole new world—and a new identity as an athlete.
We often discuss our training, film podcasts, and hold each other accountable. The dunk community isn’t just hype and highlight reels. For me, it’s a legit passion and a real group of people I care about.
Could I Have Kept Doing Both?
Maybe. Some guys do. But it depends on your goals.
For me, dunking goals >>> basketball goals. No question.
- I don’t want to play D3 ball just to say I did it.
- I do want to be one of the top dunkers in the world.
- I’ve got goals for contests, trick dunks, and building a full content library.
Playing five days a week was wrecking my knees, killing my vertical, and leaving me too tired to train. Now I’m dialed in and already seeing the difference.
Advice If You’re On the Fence
If you still enjoy basketball—keep playing. There’s no rule saying you have to choose.
But if you’re like me—dealing with pain, burnout, and watching your performance drop—it might be time to step back and think long term. What do you actually love doing? What excites you every single day?
For me, it’s dunking.
And now I get to chase that fully.
What’s Next
I’ve been sharing more on my YouTube and Instagram—training breakdowns, dunk sessions, and behind-the-scenes stuff. I’ve never had a stretch where I could train this consistently, and I’m hyped to see how far I can take it.
About The Author
