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20 July 2026  4 min read

Dunkman: Brit Joel Henry to compete in Shaq's new competition

Called Dunkman, the new venture founded by Shaquille O'Neal and TNT Sports brings together many of the world's top professional dunkers to compete on an international stage.

And British dunking sensation Joel Henry - known at the Royal Guard - has been selected as the league's first-ever British athlete.

After enjoying a professional career with the London Lions and the Surrey Scorchers (now the 89ers), Henry is now widely regarded as Britain's leading professional dunker. He has represented Great Britain on the international stage, winning an individual silver medal at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup Dunk Contest. He has also showcased his talents across Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East.

His inclusion in the Dunkman League represents a landmark moment for both British basketball and the growing sport of professional dunking.

"It's more than just another competition," Henry said. "Dunkman is building a professional league where dunkers are recognised as professional athletes in their own right, and that's something the sport has needed for a long time.

"The vision is massive. Bringing together the best dunkers from around the world under one league, with someone like Shaquille O'Neal leading it, shows they're serious about growing professional dunking and giving it the platform it deserves."

What is Dunkman?

The competition tips off on 21 July, with four hour-long league events taking place every Tuesday throughout the summer before the inaugural World Championships begin on 25 August.

A total of 24 elite dunkers will battle for the title of Dunkman World Champion and a $500,000 grand prize.

Henry will line up alongside an impressive field that includes three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung, Dengxing Chen, Tyler Currie and Isaiah Rivera, believing that Dunkman will not only give a new platform to the ever-evolving sport, but will further elevate basketball in the country.

"I think it's a huge moment, not just for me, but for British basketball and professional dunking as a whole," Henry commented.

"When I started this journey, there wasn't really a roadmap for becoming a professional dunker. It wasn't seen as a career, especially in the UK, where basketball doesn't have the same profile or opportunities as it does in other parts of the world. I had to create my own path, travel internationally, build my own reputation and prove that there was a place for athletes like me on the world stage.

"Hopefully, being the first British athlete selected for Dunkman shows that those opportunities do exist. My hope is that it opens people's eyes to what's possible and encourages more investment, recognition and opportunities for British talent and not just in dunking, but in basketball as a whole."

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joel Henry | Professional Dunker | Content Creator (@iamtheroyalguard)

How Shaq played his part in Henry’s decision

At 6'1", Henry is a foot shorter than the legendary O’Neal and was always a fan of his game, but naturally didn’t model his own game on the big man, who founded Dunkman on the theory that dunk contests were not taken seriously enough by today’s NBA players and that there is a strong market for professional dunkers.

Henry chose to participate in the Dunkman League simply because of O’Neal’s contributions to the sport, and the British high-flyer reflects on a meeting he had with Shaq in London.

"Earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview Shaq in London," he recalled. "There were already whispers about Dunkman at that point, but I hadn't been offered a contract or knew whether I'd be involved. Looking back now, it's quite surreal that a few months later I'd be joining the league he founded.

"For me, Shaq's biggest impact isn't about trying to emulate his playing style. It's his vision. He's using his platform to create opportunities for athletes and give professional dunking the stage it deserves. Being trusted as part of that from day one is something I'm incredibly proud of and an honour to be part of."

From honour, to motivation to put British basketball on the map in another area of the sport. Joel Henry continues to break barriers.

View Joel Henry on Instagram

Find out more about Dunkman

Words by John Hobbs