Two years ago, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum made his NBA 3-Point Contest debut and finished third behind Mike Conley and two-time winner Steph Curry. The former Duke basketball one-and-done did not participate last season, yet one NBA Blue Devil did: Luke Kennard, who advanced to the final round but lost to Karl-Anthony Towns.
The 2023 edition, part of the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night in Salt Lake City that begins at 8 p.m. ET (TNT), will mark the third straight with a Duke basketball product as Tatum is a member of the eight-man field that Stadium's Shams Charania reported on Tuesday:
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Kevin Huerter (Sacramento Kings)
- Tyler Herro (Miami Heat)
- Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
- Buddy Hield (Indiana Pacers)
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Anfernee Simons (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
Tatum, one of three former Blue Devils who are voted-in starters for Sunday's NBA All-Star Game (only he and Kyrie Irving will play as Zion Williamson remains out with a hamstring injury), has the third-most 3-point attempts (502) in the league this season but only the seventh-most makes (177).
His 35.3 shooting percentage from downtown this go-round is currently tied with his mark from last season as his career-low.
Nevertheless, the fourth-time All-Star is a top MVP contender, averaging a career-high 30.5 points for the NBA-leading Celtics (41-16), and has 3-Point Contest experience on his side.
Kyrie Irving, the only NBA Blue Devil who has ever taken home the 3-Point Contest trophy, won the event in 2013.
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