On Tuesday, the NBA announced the full list of players set to participate in the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star 2021 on Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, each event will take place on Sunday with the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest tipping off the action at 6:30 p.m. EST. The Slam Dunk Contest will be held during halftime of the All-Star Game.
The three events feature a star-studded participant list, with the likes of Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul and Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic among those set to take part in the Skills Challenge.
Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell headline the players in the 3-Point Contest.
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The league announced that Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons will compete in the Slam Dunk Contest, with two rookies set to join him: Cassius Stanley of the Indiana Pacers and Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks.
Stanley and Toppin will be looking to become the first rookie player to win the event since Hamidou Diallo accomplished the feat in 2019 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Of course, Diallo flashed the Superman cape to win the event.
Stanley is currently on assignment in the NBA G League with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants but will make the trip up to Atlanta to participate. He will become the first player signed to a two-way contract to perform in the Slam Dunk Contest.
Sunday, @cassius_stanley will be the first player on a two-way contract to compete in a #NBAAllStar competition as he stars in the #ATTSlamDunk 💪#MadAntsBasketball 😡🐜🏀 @pacers pic.twitter.com/5onERv1ckB
— Fort Wayne Mad Ants (@TheMadAnts) March 3, 2021
Stanley registered a 44-inch max vertical jump during the pre-draft testing last year, which ranked as the third-highest ever. Coincidentally enough, his jump finished just short of Diallo’s 44.5-inch jump two years prior at the NBA combine.
The 54th overall pick seemingly enters the Slam Dunk Contest on Sunday as one of the favorites, at least according to Shaquille O’Neal and Candace Parker on the set of NBA on TNT.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1366912195456557058?s=20
TNT’s coverage of All-Star 2021 will begin at 5 p.m. EST.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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