Pulling open his jersey to reveal a shirt bearing the signature S of Superman before leaping over the back of Shaquille O’Neal to stuff a slam, Hamidou Diallo looked every part of the superhero during last year’s dunk contest.
But even Superman has his kryptonite and for Diallo, this season, that’s been his right elbow.
Diallo missed significant time this year after he suffered a hyperextension injury to his right elbow in a game against the Lakers in November. He sat out 17 games before returning on Dec. 31 against the Mavericks.
Since coming back, Diallo has thrown down some pretty savage dunks.
Hami 1 :: Rim 0
😤 @hamidoudiallo 😤 pic.twitter.com/uANXfHeQaD
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 5, 2020
He told Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman that he’s ready to defend his dunk champion crown, saying that if he’s healthy, he’s “100% a competitor”.
“Right now I’m just focused on trying to get back to 100%. Still trying to get back in a groove on the court, a rhythm on the court and worry about the dunk contest when that time comes.”
Diallo doesn’t seem to be worried about any other potential participants, saying, “I’m the winner. I’m the competition for them. I’m going in with the crown.”
The 2020 AT&T Dunk Contest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. CT on TNT.
As of this writing, Dwight Howard is the player officially confirmed for this year’s dunk contest, per the NBA.
Don’t miss Dwight Howard’s return to the #ATTSlamDunk Contest at NBA All-Star 2020 in Chicago on February 15th on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Aqg2TbwVrY
— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2020
All other players, Diallo included, are TBD.
Until the rest of the participants are announced, relive all of Diallo’s dunks from the 2019 contest, starting with his first-round off-hand dunk.