Brandon Ruffin

Brandon Ruffin has spent years turning dunk contests into entertainment. Known as “HighRize,” the California native combines elite athleticism with charisma, creativity, and a showman’s flair that has made him a fan favorite around the world.

Born in Lancaster, California, and now residing in San Gabriel, Ruffin first dunked at age 15 after being challenged by a friend following a summer league game. What started as a friendly challenge quickly evolved into a passion that would take him across multiple countries and establish him as one of the most recognizable names in competitive dunking.

Standing 6 feet tall with a reported 47.5 inch vertical leap, Ruffin has built an impressive résumé over eight years of competition. He has won multiple international dunk contests in Mexico, Japan, and Canada, and even jumped over a Ferrari during his very first contest. His signature Tap Backboard Reverse, known as the “Ruffin IT,” showcases the creativity and athleticism that have become hallmarks of his style.

Inspired by dunking legends Vince Carter, Aaron Gordon, and Zach LaVine, Ruffin describes his approach as effortless, exciting, and energetic. He believes what separates him from other elite dunkers is not only the quality of his dunks, but his ability to entertain and bring fans into the experience. As he puts it, he wants every performance to feel like “The Greatest Showman.”

Ruffin is passionate about improving how dunk contests are judged. He believes understanding the true difficulty of a dunk is one of the biggest challenges facing the sport today. For him, the beauty of dunking comes not only from the final result, but from the countless hours of work required to make the impossible look effortless.

His biggest motivation comes from the people who helped shape him. Ruffin credits his parents, brothers, teachers, community, and mentors for the support that fueled his journey. Guided by the belief that “God gave you the talent to be the best, why settle for less,” he continues pushing himself to improve both as an athlete and as a person.

Now, Ruffin enters Dunkman with the opportunity to help launch the world’s first professional dunking league. After years of competing for the love of the sport, he sees the league as a chance to elevate dunking to a new level while inspiring the next generation of athletes. Success, in his eyes, is not only about winning. It is about making an impact on someone who watches and decides they want to chase their own dreams.

When his career is over, Ruffin hopes fans remember him as the athlete who made dunking fun again. More than trophies or titles, he wants people to remember how he made them feel every time he stepped onto the court.