2026 pop-a-shot national championship
Friday, August 7th, 7PM ET / 6PM CT / 4PM PT
Airing LIVE on ESPN2
Meet The Field
Review the scouting reports for the 12 elite shooters below. Tap any card to flip it over for full stats!
JOSHCAPUTO
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Josh Caputo
Age: 39 | HT: 6'2"
Team: Chicago Bulls
Motto: Deep dishin' and straight swishin'
Strategy: Make more shots than the others or staring competion
Resume: 2024 National Champion, 2025 National Championship Semifinalist, 2026 Boston Qualifier Winner, 2026 Spring Virtual League Winner (D2)
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Carson Dean
Age: 58 | HT: 6'3"
Team: Kobe Bryant
Motto: Mamba Mentality
Strategy: Prepare for the Moment
Resume: 2026 Atlanta Qualifier Winner, 2026 St. Louis Qualifier Runner-Up
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NICKYBUCKTZ
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Nick DeMarinis
Age: 43 | HT: 6'0"
Team: New York Knicks
Motto: Living the Dream
Strategy: Winning is the only option.
Resume: 2026 Portland Qualifier Winner, 2025 National Championship Semifinalist, 2025 San Antonio Qualifier Winner
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Bobby Derian
Age: 39 | HT: 5'7"
Team: Skyline Swishers
Motto: I drink & I know things
Strategy: N/A
Resume: 2026 L.A. Qualifier Winner, 2025 Chicago Qualifier Semifinalist, 2026 Spring Virtual League Runner-Up (D1)
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ISHAM
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James Isham
Age: 35 | HT: 5'7"
Team: Boston Red Sox
Motto: Heroes get remembered, but legends never die
Strategy: Stay loose and have fun.
Resume: 2026 Pop-A-Palooza Runner-Up, 2026 Indianapolis Qualifier Winner, 2026 Spring Virtual League Winner (D1)
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Cary Jordan
Age: 34 | HT: 6'5"
Team: LeBron James
Motto: Meats and cheeses always pleases
Strategy: Win first, look good second
Resume: 2026 New York Qualifier Winner, 2026 Boston Qualifier Semifinalist
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Danny Krolick
Age: 26 | HT: 6'2"
Team: Chicago Bulls
Motto: Do everything. Live every day like it is your last.
Strategy: Put up as many shots as possible. The more shots I take, the more I make.
Resume: 2026 Atlanta Qualifier Semifinalist, 2026 Virtual Wild Card Winner (against 2026 Qualifier Series Semifinalists)
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MURPH
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Chris Murphy
Age: 42 | HT: 6'2"
Team: Kansas Jayhawks
Motto: Still have 4 years of eligibility left, open to NIL offers
Strategy: Enjoy the ride
Resume: 2026 Pop-A-Palooza Champion, 2026 St. Louis Qualifier Winner, 2025 Fall Virtual League Winner, 2025 Las Vegas Qualifier Winner
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PKOW
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Michael Pashkow
Age: 43 | HT: 5'9"
Team: New York Knicks
Motto: Life’s a garden, dig it.
Strategy: Score more points than my opponent.
Resume: 2025 National Championship Runner-Up, 2026 Boston Qualifier Winner, 2025 St. Louis Qualifier Winner
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MAP21
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Mitch Phillis
Age: 40 | HT: 6'3"
Team: United HS / Mercyhurst Lakers
Motto: Don't miss
Strategy: Shoot fast and don't miss
Resume: 2026 Chicago Super Qualifier Winner
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Gary Preston
Age: 40 | HT: 5'11"
Team: Skyline Swishers
Motto: Smelling salts and high BAC, that's what Swishers do.
Strategy: Stay focused, clear the noise, and get buckets.
Resume: 2026 Chicago Super Qualifier Winner, 2026 Spring Virtual League Runner-Up (D1)
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SCOTTSETZKE
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Scott Setzke
Age: 45 | HT: 5'10"
Team: 2002 Eastern Michigan Eagles
Motto: I don't always do shots, but when I do, I Pop-A-Shot
Strategy: Stay loose, have fun, lots of fist bumps, high fives, and bro hugs.
Resume: 2025 National Champion, 2026 Spring Virtual League Winner (D1), 2025 Chicago Qualifier Winner
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Lock In Your Picks
Predict the National Champ for a chance to win a Home Dual Shot. In the fields below, predict your two finalists, then your champion. Submissions close at 5PM ET on Aug 7. One entry per email.
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Your bracket predictions have been submitted. Tune in to ESPN2 on Friday, Aug 7 at 7pm ET / 6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT to see if you win the Home Dual Shot!
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