Fun fact: The last time an NBA All-Star took part in that year's NBA Slam Dunk Contest was Victor Oladipo in 2018. Unlike in the bygone era when marquee stars routinely pulled up for the most exciting part of All-Star Weekend, the Dunk Contest has largely featured athletic role players and G-Leaguers in recent years.
Is that about to change?
According to Shams Charania, Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown is "seriously considering" participating in the Slam Dunk Contest later this month.
“Brown has been mulling over the possibility for several weeks, and it appears to be very much in play," Charania reported on "Run it Back" on FanDuel TV.
Just in — East All-NBA/All-Star forward is seriously considering participating in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend: pic.twitter.com/tm3vyzChp8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2024
Could Zion Williamson be another star to join Brown?
Last February, in an interview with Complex, Williamson floated the possibility of taking part in this year's festivities. One of his Pelicans teammates, Trey Murphy III, is widely expected to return to the high-flying contest a year after finishing second behind reigning champion Mac McClung.
The NBA will announce the full list of participants for All-Star Saturday night -- which includes other events such as the NBA Skills Challenge -- later this week. According to Charania, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Jalen Brunson, Lauri Markkanen and Malik Beasley have already committed to the Three-Point Contest. This year's sharpshooting event will also pit Warriors star Stephen Curry against New York Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu in a first-of-a-kind affair.
"Among the commitments for the 3-point contest, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, Jalen Brunson, Lauri Markkanen, and Malik Beasley."@ShamsCharania on the NBA All-Star 3-point contest. pic.twitter.com/F0NDm12oTK
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 5, 2024
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