Shaquille O’Neal's DUNKMAN Presented by Lilly to Crown World Champion Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. ET on TNT & HBO Max

Shaquille O'Neal, Authentic Brands Group and TNT Sports' DUNKMAN Presented by Lilly, in partnership with Credit One Bank, will crown its first world champion on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and HBO Max.

After four weeks of Group Stage competition, the world's first professional dunk league has narrowed its field from 24 elite dunkers to eight high-flying finalists: four Group Stage winners plus four Wild Card selections. The finalists will compete head-to-head next Tuesday in a single-elimination tournament for the title of DUNKMAN World Champion and a $500,000 grand prize.

Three-time NBA slam dunk contest winner Mac McClung topped the Group D field and secured the top overall seed with a 9.63 score, with the Group A, B and C winners rounding out the top four seeds. Matchups for the opening round will be:

1. Mac McClung - (Group D Winner) vs. 8. Dengxing Chen - (Wild Card)
2. Cam Hazzard - (Group A Winner) vs. 7. Joel Henry - (Wild Card)
3. Isaiah Rivera - (Group C Winner) vs. 6. Dylan Haugen - (Wild Card)
4. Dillan McCarthy - (Group B Winner) vs. 5. Jordan Southerland - (Wild Card)

No 1. Seed Mac McClung | DUNKMAN Highlights

Among the field of dunkers, McClung possesses an unmatched competitive resume as the only athlete in history to win three consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contests, but he views this new league as his ultimate challenge. The Gate City, Virginia native pairs his 46-inch vertical leap with meticulous precision and inventive execution, earning national fame for pushing the limits of the sport. Driven by a desire to constantly test himself rather than rest on his NBA accomplishments, McClung aims to continuously elevate the art of dunking and prove his consistency against the world's absolute best.

No. 2 Seed Cam Hazzard | DUNKMAN Highlights

Hazzard is a rapidly rising dunker from Dallas, Texas, known for his explosive power and elite vertical leap, reported at 49 inches. After making his first dunk at age 15, Hazzard quickly established himself on the global stage with high-complexity signature moves like the 360 Inverter Eastbay, 360 Behind the Back, and 360 Under Both, as well as an appearance at the Jordan Jumpman event in London. Driven by constant self-improvement and a belief that dunking requires a blend of height, creativity, and distinct personal style, he's one of the field's youngest competitors, aiming to test himself against the world's best, push the limits of the sport, and build a lasting legacy of resilience and hard work.

No. 3 Seed Isaiah Rivera | DUNKMAN Highlights

Rivera, widely known as the "Puerto Rican Airbender," is regarded as one of the world's most gifted and technically skilled dunkers. Born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and raised in Davenport, Florida, Rivera discovered his passion for dunking at age 16 in Sandy, Utah, after being inspired by his uncle. Standing 6-foot-2 with a 50.5-inch vertical leap and a 40-inch standing vertical, Rivera has built an elite competitive résumé featuring victories at Dunk Battle 2022, the 2019 Quai 54 Dunk Contest, the 2022 Venice Beach Dunk Contest, and two FIBA World Tour Masters championships. He stands out as the only person in history to successfully complete the 360 Behind the Back Between the Legs dunk, combining high-flying athleticism with incredible technical precision. Driven by an intense competitive mindset and inspired by dunk legend Air Up There, Rivera's ambition is to win championships, elevate the sport of professional dunking, and solidify his legacy as the greatest dunker of all time.

No. 4. Seed Dillan McCarthy | DUNKMAN Highlights

Born in Sayre, Pennsylvania, and now residing in Lockport, New York, 5-foot-10 McCarthy-known as "Alien"-is one of professional dunking's most explosive young athletes, boasting a jaw-dropping 52-inch vertical leap. The rising phenom has built his rep on power, technical precision, and high-altitude signature creations like his signature Elbow Dunk and pursuit of the Eastbay Elbow. Driven by a belief in manifestation and a desire to prove that age is no barrier to world-class performance, McCarthy is determined to entertain fans, showcase his elite elevation, and prove he belongs alongside the sport's greatest competitors.

No. 5 Seed Jordan Southerland | DUNKMAN Highlights

Known in the dunk community as the "1 Foot God," Southerland is a 6-foot-3 veteran dunker from Marietta, Georgia, who has spent over a decade competing at the highest levels of professional dunking. Renowned for his unique ability to perform traditional two-foot dunks off a single foot with a mix of creativity, grace, and power, Southerland's signature moves include the Reverse 360 Windmill and the Inverter. Guided by his personal philosophy, "Be Patient. Stay Ready," he enters the Dunkman World Championship as the No. 5 seed with the goal of winning the title and cementing his legacy as the athlete who revolutionized one-foot dunking.

No. 6 Seed Dylan Haugen | DUNKMAN Highlights

Haugen represents the next generation of competitive dunking, blending innovation, creativity, and ambitious goal setting. Born and raised in Blaine, Minnesota, Haugen first dunked at age 13 and has since developed into a premier talent, standing 5-foot-11 with a reported 43-inch vertical leap. Inspired by Jordan Kilganon, the league's youngest athlete has captured multiple titles across the country and earned acclaim for signature creations like the Hide and Seek dunk and the Inverted Scorpion over a person - making him the youngest to land the former and the first ever to execute the latter over an individual. Haugen advocates for judging that prioritizes innovation and aerial mechanics, believing elite dunks masterfully unite elevation, power, difficulty, and originality. Guided by his faith and a drive to elevate the sport globally, Haugen aims to win a World Championship, push the boundaries of what is possible above the rim, and prove to future generations that new dunks are always waiting to be discovered.

No. 7 Seed Joel Henry | DUNKMAN Highlights

A veteran professional dunker from London, England, who has spent over 12 years establishing himself as one of Europe's premier aerial athletes. Standing 6-feet-tall with a reported 48-inch vertical leap, "Royal Guard" threw down his first dunk at age 16 and built an elite global reputation around a high-voltage style defined by power, technique, and signature creations like The Royal Flush. Driven by fearless competition and a desire to prove himself against the world's best, he is determined to capture the crown and leave a legacy as one of the greatest and most unique dunkers to ever step onto the court.

No. 8 Seed Dengxing Chen | DUNKMAN Highlights

Standing at just 5-foot-9 with a 52.76-inch vertical leap, Chinese high-flyer Chen, "Dunk Chen," has spent nearly two decades defying expectations to become one of Asia's most accomplished dunkers and a global ambassador for the sport. Inspired by Vince Carter, the Hangzhou resident developed an elegant, fluid style showcased by his signature between-the-legs dunk over multiple people, earning him prestigious titles such as Quai 54 World Dunk Contest Champion, CBA Dunk Contest Champion, and FIBA World Cup Dunk Contest runner-up.

Providing commentary will be dunk icon and Naismith Hall of Famer Vince Carter, NBA champion Draymond Green, popular hoops multiplatform creator CashNasty and host Adam Lefkoe.

Additionally, Jonathan Clark, also known as "JClarkTHEJUMPER," will provide additional analysis centered around the technical aspects of dunk mechanics and how that impacts scoring from the judges. Clark is recognized as one of the sport's pioneers and most respected veteran dunkers.

The new global league, which builds on the success of last year's DUNKMAN television series, has transformed dunk competitions into a fully realized professional sport, providing top dunkers from around the globe the platform to showcase their talent.

A panel of expert judges evaluate each dunk attempt to determine which dunkers advance through the group stages and who is ultimately crowned DUNKMAN World Champion. O'Neal serves as founder and commissioner.

Additional content is available across DUNKMAN social channels, Bleacher Report and House of Highlights.

Fans can follow the inaugural season at https://www.dunkman.com and across DUNKMAN social channels @dunkmanofficial.