PODCAST · sports
The Dunk Talk
by Dylan Haugen
The Dunk Talk Podcast is made by dunkers, for dunkers. We share insight and knowledge from Professional and Amateur Dunkers to help you on your own dunk journey.
Episodes
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First Dunk at 12, Now He's in Shaq's DunkMan League: Avante "The Joker" Nichols | Dunk Talk #77
Today we've got Avante "The Joker" Nichols, a fellow DunkMan League athlete and a good friend of mine, and we went through his whole dunk journey from low rimming as a kid all the way to competing in Shaq's DunkMan League this year. Avante played pretty much every sport growing up before locking…
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Dunkers With 690,000 Followers on Why Your Dunks Get No Views | Dunk Talk #76
I'm Dylan Haugen, and I flew out to North Carolina to link up with Travis Reynolds and Ben Hopkins, so we sat down and talked about the thing basically every dunker runs into at some point: you can throw down a crazy dunk, post it raw, and get 500 views. Between the three of us we've got around...
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Breakdown of Every Dunk From Shaq's DunkMan League (Group Stages A-D) | Dunk Talk #75
Travis Reynolds and I went through every single dunk from all four group stages of Shaq's DunkMan League, which is the first ever professional dunking league. 24 guys, four groups of six, and the winner of the finals takes home $500,000, which is the biggest prize in dunk history. The finals are...
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We Were On the Court for the First Night of Shaq's DunkMan League | Dunk Talk #74
Drove four hours from North Carolina to Atlanta with Ben Hopkins and Travis Reynolds to watch the first night of Shaq's DunkMan League, and we recorded this whole thing on the drive back. Group Stage A was Cam Hazzard, Joel Henry, Dengxing Chen, Doug Anderson, Shelby McEwen, and Jonathan Edwards,...
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20 Years Old and Getting Flown Around the World to Dunk: Jeremiah Walker | Dunk Talk #73
Jeremiah Walker is a 20 year old professional dunker from London, and this year has been crazy for him with events all over the world. He grew up playing soccer until he was eight, figured out he was terrible at it, and got into basketball because a friend told him he was tall. His school had…
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From Dunking on 8 Feet 3 Months Ago to Preparing for the Biggest Dunk Contest Ever | Dunk Talk #72
Haven't done a podcast in a while, so this one is just me catching you guys up on the past year of dunking. It's been all over the place. Good stretches last summer with contests I actually won, then October hit and I dealt with an ankle thing and then something deep in the patellar tendon in my...
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He Tested a 50 Inch Vertical & Joined Shaq's DunkMan League: Cam Hazzard | Dunk Talk #71
Cam Hazzard is one of the other guys competing in Shaq's DunkMan League this summer, and he's one of only about seven people to ever test a 50 inch vertical. He's from Dallas, he's 20, and Dennis and I met up with him when we were down there for a conference. We rented out a gym and he hit...
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I Signed With Shaq's DunkMan League (World's Youngest Pro Dunker) - Dylan Haugen | Dunk Talk #70
Big news, guys. It got announced today that I've officially signed with Shaq's new DunkMan League, and I'll be competing this summer against 23 of the other best dunkers in the world for a $500,000 grand prize. 24 dunkers total, and there's even more money up for grabs beyond that. This signing...
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Why All Dunkers Should Make Long-Form Content ft. Travis Reynolds | Dunk Talk #69
Dylan Haugen and Travis Reynolds sit down to make the case for why long form YouTube content is one of the most overlooked tools in dunking. They talk through how the shift to short form has made it harder to keep up with individual dunkers, stripped context from the sport, and quietly shrunk the...
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Pro Dunkers React to 2026 NBA Dunk Contest + NEW Mac McClung Dunks! | Dunk Talk #68
In Episode 68 of the Dunk Talk Podcast, Dylan Haugen is joined by fellow professional dunker Travis Reynolds to break down the 2026 NBA Dunk Contest. They go dunk-by-dunk, debating scores, judging consistency, missed attempts, and which performances actually deserved to advance. The two also…
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How Dillan McCarthy Tested a 50 Inch Vertical at 19 Years Old | Dunk Talk #67
In this episode of the Dunk Talk Podcast, host Dylan Haugen and co-host Hunter Castona sit down with elite dunker Dillan McCarthy for a wide-ranging conversation following one of the most eye-opening milestones in modern vertical jump history: a verified 50-inch vertical at 19 years old. Dillan...
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How I’m Changing My Training After Turning 18 – Dylan Haugen | Dunk Talk #66
Today in Episode 66 of the Dunk Talk Podcast, Dylan Haugen goes solo to break down his training evolution, injuries, and lessons from the past year. He reflects on how turning 18 has reshaped his approach to lifting, recovery, and jump volume, sharing how his body has adapted to heavier loads and...
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Nolan Larson on Injury, Identity, and the Love of Dunking | Dunk Talk #65
In this episode of the Dunk Talk Podcast, host Dylan Haugen and co-host Hunter Castona sit down with fellow Midwest dunker Nolan Larson for one of the most raw, in-depth conversations yet. The three dive into Nolan’s athletic roots, from mini-hoop battles in his childhood to his evolution as a...
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Ethan Pimstone: The 48-Inch Jumper Who Came Out of NOWHERE – Dunk Talk #64
In Episode 64 of Dunk Talk, Dylan Haugen and Hunter Castona sit down with brothers Jordan and Ethan Pimstone to tell a story that feels almost unreal but is completely real: Ethan went from casual LA Fitness runs to a 47.5-inch vertical and his first Eastbay—all within months. Jordan, who doubles...
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The Most Underrated Dunker in the World: Bishop Ukata | Dunk Talk #63
Welcome back to the Dunk Talk Podcast! In Episode 63, host Dylan Haugen sits down with rising dunker Bishop Ukata (@takeoffcinco), one of the most underrated young athletes in the dunking scene. In this episode, Bishop shares his full dunk journey—from discovering dunking through legends like...
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The First Professional Dunker With a Signature Shoe: Jordan Kilganon | Dunk Talk #62
In this episode, professional dunker Jordan Kilganon returns to the Dunk Talk to share the full story behind the release of his very own signature shoe—the first custom model designed specifically for a professional dunker. Jordan breaks down everything from early childhood shoe obsessions to the...
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He Sacrificed His Knee to Win this Dunk Contest: Ben Hopkins | Dunk Talk #61
In this episode of The Dunk Talk, Dylan sits down with Ben Hopkins to break down his hard-earned win at the Dunk Camp 2025. Ben explains how he pushed through patellar tendon pain, risking his knee health for a shot at winning and a guaranteed spot in the upcoming FIBA 3x3 contest. He shares how...
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My Experience at the Dunk Camp 2025: Dylan Haugen | Dunk Talk #60
In today's episode I walk through the entire week—from pre-camp training and travel to Utah, to the key dunk sessions, contest performance, and the final dunk show. I talk about how my preparation with Jump Master X and sessions with other dunkers impacted my confidence going in, and how the...
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How Dunkers Can Build Their Personal Brand on Google - Dennis Yu | Dunk Talk #59
This is one of the most important episodes we’ve done on The Dunk Talk Podcast.I sat down with Dennis Yu—search engine engineer from the early days of Yahoo and one of the most respected marketers in the game—to talk about how dunkers and creators can build a real personal brand that actually…
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From Taiwan to Dunking: Adam's Journey of Dunking, Weightlifting, and Growth | Dunk Talk #58
In this episode of the Dunk Talk podcast, Dylan Haugen chats with Adam, an exchange student from Taiwan, about his journey into the world of dunking. Adam shares how he went from barely touching the rim to performing 360s, 2 handers, and even windmills—all within just nine months. They discuss…
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Getting Flown Out for a Dunk Contest | Dunk Talk #57
In this solo episode, I (Dylan Haugen) break down my experience getting flown out to Maryland for a dunk contest at the TBL All-Star Weekend. From warm-ups to missed dunks, what went right, what went wrong, and how it felt competing in front of a crowd like that. I also talk prep, mindset…
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Tom Barnes' Dunk Journey, the Founding of JumpMaster X, and More! | Dunk Talk #56
In Episode 56 of Dunk Talk, I’m joined by my coach Tom Barnes (@tom.dunks), who is not only a dunker, but also one of the founders and coaches over at Jump Master X. We cover his journey from multi-sport athlete in Australia to elite dunker and coach, his role in shaping Jump Master X’s training,...
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Breaking Down the Huge Florida Dunk Session | Dunk Talk #55
Today Dylan Haugen and Hunter Castona break down the huge Florida session they took part of in Florida with dunkers such as Isaiah Rivera, Isaiah Espinoza, Josh Ruble, and many more.
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Why Your Off-Hand is so Important for Dunking Success - ft. Travis Reynolds | Dunk Talk #54
On today's episode, Dylan Haugen catches up with returning guest Travis Reynolds on how his dunking / training has been since the last podcast. Travis recently suffered an injury in his right hand, forcing him to only dunk with his left for a while. This sparked the conversation about the...
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How 6'1" Finn Addy Hit his First Underboth Dunk | Dunk Talk #53
Today Dylan Haugen talks with Pro Dunker Finn Addy (@1footdisciple) on his training and dunking leading up to his best session ever, where he also hit his first Underboth dunk.
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Breaking Down the Dunk Camp Dunk Contest for $1000 w/ Andy Behle | Dunk Talk #52
On today's episode Dylan Haugen, Hunter Castona, and special guest Andy Behle react to and breakdown the recent dunk contest that the Dunk Camp hosted in Utah.
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How I Hit an Underboth Dunk at just 5'11" and 17 Years Old: Dylan Haugen | Dunk Talk #51
On today's episode Dylan Haugen breaks down everything that went into his first underboth dunk, and him and Hunter Castona go through how their training is going.
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Pro Dunkers Break Down the NBA Dunk Contest ft. Donovan Hawkins | Dunk Talk #50
On today's episode Dylan Haugen (@dylanhaugen23), Hunter Castona (@hunter.dunks), and pro dunker Donovan Hawkins (@donovanhawkins_37) break down this year's NBA Dunk Contest dunk by dunk.
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Andy Behle's Journey from Crippling Back Pain to a 45+ Inch Vertical | Dunk Talk #49
On Episode 49 of the Dunk Talk Podcast we interview Andy Behle (@andy.behle), a very talented dunker who has tested a 45 inch max vertical. Andy has gone through some severe back injuries, but within the past year has came back better than ever and is starting to level up once again.
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How Social Media has Changed the Dunk Game | Dunk Talk #48
Today Dylan Haugen and Hunter Castona discuss how social media has changed the sport of dunking, and how you can use it to your advantage.
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How Jordan Kilganon Became the Greatest Dunker of All Time | Dunk Talk #47
On Episode 47 of the Dunk Talk we had the privilege of interviewing Professional Dunker Jordan Kilganon (@jordankilganon), who many view as the greatest dunker to ever live. Kilganon has an officially tested 49.5 inch max vertical, has done events for the NBA, and has created 270+ new dunks...
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Do Genetics Really Matter for Dunking? ft. Donovan Hawkins | Dunk Talk #46
Today on Episode 46 of the Dunk Talk Podcast Dylan Haugen, Hunter Castona, and Donovan Hawkins all share their personal thoughts and experiences on how significant of a role genetics play in dunking/jumping.
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Breaking Down Myths about Dunking & Jumping | Dunk Talk #45
On today’s episode Dylan Haugen and Hunter Castona go over some common myths /misconceptions about dunking and jumping.
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Setting Our Dunking Goals for 2025: Dylan Haugen & Hunter Castona | Dunk Talk #44
Today Dylan (@dylanhaugen23) and Hunter (@hunter.dunks) reflect on their year and set their goals for dunking/training in 2025.
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One of the Most Improved Dunkers of 2024: Finn "1FootDisciple" Addy | Dunk Talk #43
Today we talk to / interview pro dunker Finn Addy (@1footdisciple) on his year of dunking.
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How Environment Can Affect your Jumping | Dunk Talk #42
Today Dylan and Hunter discuss their own experiences with good/bad environments for dunking.
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The Best Dunker of 2024: Donovan Hawkins | Dunk Talk #41
Today on Episode 41 of the Dunk Talk Podcast we interview Donovan Hawkins on his dunk progress this year.
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How Daniel Castellani Became one of the Best Dunkers in Australia | Dunk Talk #40
Today we interview Daniel Castellani (@dandunks_), a very elite dunker from Melbourne, Australia, about his dunk journey so far.
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The Biomechanics Behind Dunking: Sam Liu | Dunk Talk #39
Today we interview Sam Liu (@sam_likes_biomechanics), who is not only a dunker but also a PhD Candidate on sport biomechanics. In today's episode Sam breaks down the biomechanics behind dunking/jumping and how we can use this information to improve our athleticism. Links to Sam's research papers:...
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Why I Quit Basketball to Become a Pro Dunker: Dylan Haugen | Dunk Talk #38
Today Dylan and Hunter discuss Dylan's decision to quit basketball and go all in on dunking, and also talk about the positives and negatives of playing basketball while training for dunking.
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One of the Greatest Dunkers of All Time: Dmytro “Smoove” Kryvenko | Dunk Talk #37
Today we had the pleasure of interviewing one of the GREATEST Dunkers to ever live, Dmytro “Smoove” Kryvenko (@smooveukraine). We talked about his dunk journey, favorite events, move to the US, and more.
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He got his First Dunk as a 5'8" 12 Year Old... Elijah Davis | Dunk Talk #36
In today's episode we interview 5'8" Elijah Vaughn Davis (@real.suave), a dunker from Illinois who has an insane story/journey.
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How 5'6" Anthony Height Became the Highest Jumper in the World | Dunk Talk #35
Today we had the privilege to interview 5'6' Pro Dunker Anthony Height (@eyesonheight) on his journey to a 50+ inch vertical. Anthony has one of if not the craziest story we've ever heard, so make sure to watch until the end.
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From Rim Grazing to Hitting Underboth: Hunter Castona | Dunk Talk #34
Today our co-hosts explain the long dunking slump that Hunter went through and how he got out of it.
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Ben Hopkins' Journey to Hitting a Tamallah Dunk | Dunk Talk #33
Today we had the privilege of talking to Ben Hopkins (@benbounces) a 6'5" dunker from North Carolina who recently hit his first tamallah.
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What it's like to be a Pro Dunker with Donovan Hawkins | Dunk Talk #32
Today Dylan talks with Donovan Hawkins on what it's like to be a pro dunker. Donovan goes over everything that happens during events and contests, and more.
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Can you Increase your Vertical In-Season? Dunk Talk #31
In today's episode Dylan and Hunter go in depth on their personal experiences and tips on jump training in season.
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Dunker with 49 Inch Vertical Jumps 7 Days a Week: Dillan McCarthy | Dunk Talk #30
On today's episode we interview 5'9" 18 year old Dillan McCarthy (@dillan_mccarthy) on his dunk journey. Dillan has recorded a 49" max vertical, and got there with some very different training methods than we normally see from dunkers.
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How Isaiah Rivera Became the Highest Jumper in the World | Dunk Talk #29
Today we had the privilege to interview Isaiah Rivera, a Pro Dunker with an officially recorded 50.5 inch vertical.
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Do This If You're a Beginner to Jump Training | Dunk Talk #28
On today's episode Dylan and Hunter go in depth about what they would do if they were tasked with training a young athlete who was serious about becoming a great dunker someday.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Dunk Talk Podcast is made by dunkers, for dunkers. We share insight and knowledge from Professional and Amateur Dunkers to help you on your own dunk journey.
HOSTED BY
Dylan Haugen
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Dunk Talk have?
The Dunk Talk currently has 77 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Dunk Talk about?
The Dunk Talk Podcast is made by dunkers, for dunkers. We share insight and knowledge from Professional and Amateur Dunkers to help you on your own dunk journey.
How often does The Dunk Talk release new episodes?
The Dunk Talk has 77 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Dunk Talk?
You can listen to The Dunk Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Dunk Talk?
The Dunk Talk is created and hosted by Dylan Haugen.
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