The gym buzzed as the final attempt neared, but few predicted what happened next.
Madison senior Anthony Avalos, already known for his above-the-rim skills, stepped up, focused, and launched himself, clearing not just one, but two players before delivering a dunk that had the entire arena on their feet.
It was the highlight of the 2026 HISD All-Star dunk contest, but for Avalos, it was just another chapter in a journey that started years earlier, when a 13-year-old first realized he could fly.
Avalos faced tough competition in a field full of dunk enthusiasts: Rico Taylor from Yates, Riley Hudlow from Bellaire, Collier Coleman from Wheatley, Kendarion Payne from Wheatley, Michael Daniel from Westside, and Adam McIntyre from Lamar.
“There were many thoughts in my mind before the dunk, but I knew if I jumped over two people, everyone would jump
Anthony Avalos
out of their seats,”
“There were many thoughts in my mind before the dunk, but I knew if I jumped over two people, everyone would jump out of their seats,” said Avalos.
Avalos had previously jumped over someone in the second round, and the gym erupted, creating even more creative pressure on his competitors.
However, this specific dunk wasn’t spontaneous; it was the result of weeks of practice and preparation.
“I had been practicing that dunk every day for two weeks,” said Avalos.
While the dunk may have seemed like a breakthrough moment to the crowd, for Avalos, the art of dunking took years to develop, dating back to when he first gained crowd support after dunking in middle school.
“It was the best feeling,” said Avalos. “I was able to dunk at Lawson Middle School during layup lines in front of everybody.”
Feeling that excitement and energy was contagious.
“After that, I kept practicing dunking because dunking made everything else in the game easier,” said Avalos.
That early moment didn’t just spark excitement; it sparked obsession. Avalos began training to improve his vertical jump.
“I began to run a lot and do around 200 calf raises a day,” said Avalos.
By the summer of his eighth-grade year, Avalos was not only dunking but doing so confidently. This soon encouraged him to study the great players who came before him.
“My high school coach, Craig Maura, is a big Dr. J fan, so we watch a lot of dunk contests,” said Avalos.
Besides the legendary Julius Winfield “Dr. J” Erving, Avalos also examined former NBA stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, both known for their incredible dunks.
“I would watch Vince Carter and try to recreate his 360-windmill dunk,” said Avalos.
“He studied Dr. J, Vince, and Tracy McGrady as he tried to mimic their explosiveness,” said Madison head coach Craig Maura. “You can see these influences in his game today, in his workouts in the weight room, and his explosive training in the gym.”
While those influences helped shape his identity on the court, they only tell part of the story. Avalos helped lead his team to a 16-0 first-place finish in 5A Region III District 21, but at 6-feet-6, he feels part of his game is still underrated.
“I feel my shot blocking and ball handling are underrated,” said Avalos. “Everybody sees me as a small 5, but I would love to show them that I’m not. Beyond being able to dunk, I have the ability to directly impact the game by getting my teammates involved and taking over when I need to.”
“Outside of highlights, he can really shoot the basketball,” said Maura. “I believe if they had allowed him to participate in the three-point contest the other night, I believe he would’ve won that one as well, but they limited him to just the dunk contest.”
As his game continues to evolve, so do the opportunities ahead of him. Avalos is looking for a college program with a winning basketball culture, strong family ties, and a strong emphasis on player development.
I’m not committed right now, but I feel confident about my recruitment progress because everyone’s path is different,” said Avalos. “Panola College, Frank Phillips College, Blinn, and Dallas College Cedar Valley have all expressed interest.”
“Him being a late bloomer and only starting to play basketball a few years ago, I think that with proper coaching, putting in the work, and working really hard, I believe he could reach the highest level, whether it be overseas or in the United States,” said Maura.
No matter where he lands next, one thing is clear: Dunking over two people isn’t easy.
About Anthony Avalos:
Class: 2026
IG: @Anthonyavalos2026
Position: Forward
Height & weight: 6-feet-6, 200 pounds
Favorite artist: NBA YoungBoy
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: Math
