I’ve always admired the passion and energy of my friend Dylan Haugen—and it was through Dylan that I first heard about this up-and-coming one-foot dunker from Canada named Finn Addy. They shared a story so inspiring that I had to dive deeper. Finn had just won the 10-foot dunk contest at the Dunk Camp in Utah, which earned him a coveted invite to compete against professional dunkers at a FIBA 3×3 tournament in Edmonton.
What began as a casual interest—messing around with low rims—has turned into a remarkable journey. Below is a closer look at how it happened, complete with the personal touches I love to highlight when I talk about people I know and admire.
Discovering Finn Through Dylan
Dylan and I have chatted about the dunk community countless times. His passion for elevating dunkers—both literally and figuratively—led him to invite Finn onto his Dunk Talk Podcast, which he co-hosts with Hunter Castona. Right away, I could see why Dylan was so excited: Finn had a quiet humility paired with explosive athletic ability and a penchant for going off one foot—a style that’s become increasingly rare among top dunkers.
The Early Days: From Low-Rims to Real Results
One thing that resonated with me was how Finn described his early years. Like many of us, he started out lowering the rim in the driveway, pretending to be his basketball heroes:
“I’d pretend to be Derrick Rose or LeBron James. Once I touched the rim at 16, I was hooked.” — Finn
He had no formal “vertical jump training.” It was all about playing basketball, lowering rims, and developing an almost instinctive one-foot takeoff. Eventually, he found YouTube channels like Dunkademics and Steven Celi, which showed him the possibilities of chasing dunk milestones.
Finn at the Dunk Camp
I heard about the Dunk Camp in Utah from Dylan (who’s been heavily involved) and was intrigued by the concept—an intensive, multi-day event where aspiring dunkers can learn from pros, measure their verticals, and compete in contests. Finn first attended in 2022, mainly to watch the big names: Jordan “1FootGod” Southerland, Jordan Kilganon, and so on. He never imagined he’d soon be mentioned alongside pros.
“That environment is unreal. I saw Jordan Southerland and these other legends jumping, and suddenly I found myself pulling off my first Eastbay at camp. The adrenaline was next-level.” — Finn
That first Eastbay was the spark. Though Finn’s vertical briefly dipped while playing college basketball, he left the team and committed himself fully to dunking in early 2024.
Stepping Up the Training
Dylan, Hunter, and I often talk about how consistent work on your craft—whether that’s dunking or digital marketing—leads to breakthroughs. Finn provided an excellent example:
- Moderate Strength Training
- He admitted he never truly believed in weights before, but once he saw the direct correlation with more powerful takeoffs, he realized a few strategic lifts (especially quarter squats) helped add inches quickly.
- Focused Jump Sessions
- Once basketball season ended, he prioritized rest, low-volume but high-quality jump sessions, and just letting his body recover enough between bouts to explode again.
- Smart Progression
- Finn started nailing bigger trick dunks on 9’10” or 9’11” rims before taking them up to regulation height. This approach let him learn new moves without overtaxing himself.
The Big Win at Dunk Camp 2024
Despite a hamstring tweak just before camp (resulting from wrestling with his brother—Finn is nothing if not relatable!), Finn arrived on “Contest Day” in Utah ready to go. After a shorter warm-up than planned, he tuned out distractions by blasting the same hype track—“Untouchable” by YoungBoy—over and over.
“I made the first three dunks on my last attempt, so it was down to the wire each time. In the finals, I hit a two-hand reverse windmill and an elbow dunk, both first try. That’s what sealed it.” — Finn
I remember Dylan excitedly sharing that Finn’s consistency and clutch factor made all the difference. The Dunk Camp judges rewarded not just difficulty but also clean, first-attempt dunks—a recipe for victory.
From Utah to FIBA 3×3 Edmonton
The real payoff was an invitation to FIBA 3×3 in Edmonton, where Finn would compete against pro dunkers like Donovan Hawkins and Brandon Ruffin. This wasn’t just a local crowd; FIBA 3×3 events draw global attention.
Finn admits he felt initial nerves, but once the music blasted and the emcees hyped the crowd, he was in his element. He drilled his first two dunks—both high flyers, including a lob Cuff 360 Windmill—before missing his third and ultimately settling behind the more seasoned pros. Still, the crowd response and support cemented his place among the rising stars.
“I realized I can hang with these guys. I might not beat Donovan yet, but I’m right there. And more importantly, now I’m on their radar.” — Finn
Personal Reflections: My Take on Dylan and Finn
Having watched Dylan grow his Dunk Talk Podcast from an idea to a platform for showcasing incredible talent, I’m not surprised at the synergy between him and Finn. Dylan’s fascination with the mechanics of dunking, combined with Finn’s relentless drive, is a perfect match. Being an analytics geek, I see parallels in how they approach improvement—track your progress, study the greats, and keep pushing until the results speak for themselves.
Finn’s story also underscores why I love connecting with people across different niches. Even though my primary passions revolve around digital marketing and data, it’s remarkable how universal the pursuit of excellence is—whether you’re perfecting your footwork for a dunk or refining a marketing funnel.
What’s Next for Finn
With the FIBA 3×3 experience under his belt, Finn has big plans:
- Targeting Under Both Legs (“Under Both”) off one foot
- Honing “Reverse Psychology”-style scoops and more advanced trick dunks
- Potentially collaborating with Jordan Southerland in Ontario for a video session
He’s also onboard with Jump Master X, adding more structure and advanced strength training to his regimen.
“I’m excited to keep building. Watching pro dunkers at this level is mind-blowing, and I want to see just how far I can push my one-foot bounce.” — Finn
Final Thoughts—From My View
I can’t wait to see what Finn accomplishes, and I’m proud of Dylan for shining a spotlight on yet another dunker who’s well on his way to stardom. Their journey is one of passion, dedication, and fun—three values I hold dearly, whether it’s in business or sports.
To Dylan and Finn: Keep doing what you’re doing. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and your success speaks volumes about the power of consistent, focused effort. I’m grateful to witness your ascent and look forward to cheering you on from the sidelines, camera in hand—maybe even jumping in to do an interview (just not a dunk attempt…I’ll leave that to the pros!).
– Dennis Yu
Follow Finn:
- Instagram: @1footdisciple
- YouTube: Coming Soon – watch for new session breakdowns.
Follow Dylan and Hunter (Dunk Talk Podcast):
- Dylan’s Instagram: @dylanhaugen23
- Hunter’s Instagram: @hunter.dunks
Listen to the Dunk Talk Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
(Published with personal insights on DennisYu.com. Special thanks to Dylan, Finn, and the entire Dunk Camp community for sharing their stories.)
