MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 22: Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on January 22, 2023 at Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images).Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

Pelicans' Trey Murphy III Reportedly Invited to 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Rob GoldbergJan 29, 2023

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III has been invited to compete in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, per Andrew Lopez of ESPN.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic previously reported Shaedon Sharpe, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Mac McClung have accepted invites to compete in this year's Dunk Contest.

McClung, who plays for the Delaware Blue Coats, will be the first G League player to compete in the All-Star weekend event.

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Murphy is in his second NBA season, averaging 12.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game with the Pelicans.

After seeing limited playing time as a rookie out of Virginia, Murphy has emerged as a key player for the Pelicans in 2022-23, starting 37 games and ranking second on the team in total minutes.

While his all-around improvement has been impressive, his dunks have also caught the attention of fans this year:

Murphy has 52 total dunks this year, which is tied with Larry Nance Jr. for a team-high and 30th in the NBA despite spending significant time on the perimeter (more than half his field-goal attempts are from three-point range).

Getting a free run at the rim could allow the 22-year-old to throw down some huge slams in the dunk contest.