How a 5’7” low-rim dunker became the most electrifying name in modern basketball—and why the world is finally paying attention.

By Sports Gossip

What if I told you…

…the greatest dunker of our time never needed a regulation rim to make history?

That a billion views could start with a plastic hoop on a kitchen door?

That one kid, armed with creativity, persistence, and a 40+ inch vertical, could leap from viral clips to global brand campaigns—without ever playing Division I basketball?

What if I told you… his name was Hoopin Nate?

Salt Lake City Was the Confirmation. Not the Beginning.

At Dunk Camp 2025, hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah, some of the world’s top dunkers gathered—representing eight different countries and an array of elite styles.

Among them stood Hoopin Nate, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a presence that towered over everyone.

In front of a live audience and a digital one tuned in from around the globe, Nate secured the Low Rim Dunk Title, proving what his followers have long known: he’s the most explosive, creative low-rim dunker alive today.

Read the full event recap at DunkingNews.com.

From Mini Hoop Obsession to Worldwide Recognition

Before ESPN coverage and global brand endorsements, there was a mini hoop mounted on a kitchen doorway. There was a scratched-up wall, a phone camera, and a relentless teenager with bounce.

That hoop became a proving ground. The footage became viral. The leap turned into legacy.

“I’ve been following you since the Kitchen Door Mini Hoop days. I fist-pumped when you got your first clean one on an official size hoop!”
 — @easperti (Brazil)

Those early moments—grainy and imperfect—laid the foundation for a platform built on authenticity and ingenuity.

A Billion Views and Still Climbing

Today, Hoopin Nate—born Nathan Kenney—has transcended social media status to become a cultural icon in the world of dunking and digital sport.

  • Over 1 Billion Views across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X

  • Featured on ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and TNT

  • Guest on the Washington Wizards Pre-Game Show, hosted by Wes Hall

  • Spotlighted on NBA’s The Jump, with analysis and praise from former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins

  • Celebrated by NBA players past and present, many of whom have attempted—and failed—to replicate his signature dunks on national television

  • Signed with Distinction Agency, a premier representation firm for elite athletes, creators, and entertainers

  • Campaign partner with Gatorade, Gymshark, Way of Wade, and Google Pixel

  • Co-starred with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Druski in Google’s The Greatest Watch Party, directed by Flex God Daps

  • Appeared alongside Michael Jordan in Gatorade’s The Way to Be Great campaign

These moments have extended Nate’s reach beyond his billion-view fanbase and into the inner circle of professional basketball. When NBA legends take notice—and try to emulate your moves—that’s more than influence. That’s impact.

“I’ve invested so much watch time on this kid… Allen Iverson vibes.”
 — @bchuckhuff40

The People’s Champion

While his leap into brand partnerships and commercials is remarkable, it’s the connection with his followers that sets Nate apart.

“Been watching you since the early Nerf hoop days. You are living proof that consistent hard work pays off.”
 — @stellar-bully

“I remember this kid OMG. That’s why I bought my son a mini hoop. WOW, to see him now is so crazy!”
 — @BigBaessian TheeCeo

Nate’s story is not just about verticality. It’s about inspiration. He represents a new kind of athletic success—one built in bedrooms and backyards, on phones and through faith in one’s craft.

From Viral Clips to Verified Greatness

With his win at Dunk Camp, Nate didn’t just claim a trophy. He closed the loop on a journey years in the making. From homemade highlights to global recognition, he is now the undisputed king of low-rim dunking.

And yet, this feels like a beginning.

He’s training on full-height rims. Refining his craft. And preparing for the leap that will redefine what the world believes a dunker can look like.

“I’m still the same kid who just wanted to dunk in the kitchen,” Nate said after the win. “Only difference is now the world’s watching.”

That moment wasn’t just a personal victory—it was a global affirmation of a journey that started with a plastic hoop and turned into a blueprint for modern athletic influence.

Hoopin Nate didn’t follow the blueprint. He made one.

From kitchen clips to global campaigns, he’s changed the way we think about talent, height, hustle, and the very idea of what it means to rise. And the truth is, the rim was never the limit.

The next chapter isn’t just coming—it’s already in motion.

Who is Hoopin Nate?

As documented on IMDb:

Nathan Kenney, known as Hoopin Nate, is an American dunk artist, social media icon, and cultural influencer widely considered the greatest mini hoop dunker of all time. At just 5’7”, he has shattered assumptions about size and athleticism with explosive vertical power and creative storytelling. His career spans appearances on national television, global commercials, and some of the world’s biggest sports campaigns. With more than 1 billion views across platforms, Nate continues to inspire the next generation of creators and athletes alike.