D-III Elmhurst’s Ocean Johnson Shatters Backboard on Overtime Dunk

Johnson channeled his inner Shaq with a backboard-shattering slam on Saturday.

It’s not often nowadays that you see basketball hoops get broken.

The baskets are sturdier. The rims are tighter and the glass on the backboard is stronger.

So backboard-shattering slams like when Shaq dunked the ball too hard as a member of the Magic in 1993 don’t come around with frequency.

However, in a Division III basketball game on Saturday between Elmhurst University and North Park University outside Chicago, another backboard was shattered in thrilling fashion.

In the opening seconds of the second overtime period, Elmhurst’s Ocean Johnson took the pass underneath, took a gather step and then dunked it home. The rim immediately broke off the backboard, as the glass shattered and Johnson fell hard to the floor.

OMG!!! Ocean Johnson of Elmhurst shatters the backboard!!!!#whyd3 #d3hoops pic.twitter.com/DmXCG3bBNa

— Bob Quillman (@IWUhoopscom) February 12, 2023

Prior to the dunk, the rim appeared to be slightly tilted, and perhaps not quite as secure as it should have been. Johnson’s hard dunk confirmed it. An hour and a half delay followed as the repair crew installed a new backboard. 

Ultimately, the dunk was the primary highlight for Elmhurst, who lost the game 93–90 in double overtime.