Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. is expected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17 in Indianapolis, Indiana, according to Chris Haynes of TNT.
Jaquez expressed interest in participating in the event in December and was viewed as a good candidate after winning a dunk contest in high school. He declined to comment on the event last month, likely waiting until the field of participants was announced.
The 18th pick is expected to be joined by Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown, New York Knicks rookie Jacob Toppin and Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung, who won the event last year.
The Slam Dunk Contest participants expected to include Jacob Toppin, defending champ Mac McClung, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and presumably Jaylen Brown.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 6, 2024
The league typically asks rookies and other young players to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest. The field will include an All-Star for the first time since 2017 (DeAndre Jordan) and three up-and-coming players in the NBA and G League.
Jaquez and McClung were also among 28 players selected to compete in the NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16. Jaquez will play on Team Pau (Gasol), and McClung will team with six other players from the G League on Team Detlef (Schrempf).
The Slam Dunk Contest will headline the Saturday night festivities during NBA All-Star Weekend. The evening will also feature the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and an NBA (Stephen Curry) vs. WNBA (Sabrina Ionescu) 3-Point Challenge.
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