NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2015: Date, Updates on Rumored Participants and More
On Tuesday Jan. 27, the NBA officially named the four participants in the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest. Just as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported on Jan. 21, the four contestants will be Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, Mason Plumlee and Zach LaVine.
Continue for updates.
Official Dunk Contest List Revealed
Tuesday, Jan. 27
On Tuesday, the NBA confirmed that Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Oladipo, Mason Plumlee and Zach LaVine were indeed the four players selected to compete in the 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest:
Report Lists Four Players Likely to Be In Dunk Contest
Wednesday, Jan. 21
Three participants who reportedly committed to the 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend have been revealed.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that Milwaukee Bucks wing Giannis Antetokounmpo, Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo and Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee will serve as contestants.
"Yahoo Sources: The Greek Freak and Victor Oladipo are two of young stars committed to All-Star Slam Dunk contest. http://t.co/uHDD6HpFhn
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 21, 2015"
Another prospective entrant, according to Wojnarowski, is supremely gifted Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Zach LaVine. The high-flying showcase will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Barclays Center.
Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler relayed that Philadelphia 76ers wing K.J. McDaniels could toss his hat into the ring:
".@SixersBlog: -> In a Q&A with James Herbert posted today - KJ said he was asked "haven't turned them down completely. But I'm not sure yet"
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) January 21, 2015"
Antetokounmpo is appropriately nicknamed the "Greek Freak" for his amazing versatility.
Listed at 6'11", the 20-year-old phenom is capable of playing any perimeter position and could develop into an unstoppable force in the years to come—especially if he packs muscle onto his lanky, 217-pound frame.
While the Bucks had to take a bit of a flier on Antetokounmpo at No. 15 overall in the 2013 NBA draft, Orlando knew it was getting a top-tier prospect when it chose Oladipo with the second overall pick that year.
The 15-29 Magic are young and still struggling in the East, but Oladipo has flashed the potential to suggest he'll be a franchise cornerstone. His athletic ability allows him to guard multiple positions and slash to the rim with the occasional emphatic finish.
Plumlee is an interesting candidate and shouldn't be underestimated, as seeing a big man with his imposing frame (6'11", 235 lbs) throw down thunderous, athletic dunks is bound to impress.
The home fans in Brooklyn should be behind Plumlee as well.
Prior to the most recent draft, Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding observed the mind-boggling workout display LaVine put on for the Los Angeles Lakers:
Oladipo (6'4") and LaVine (6'5") will look small compared to the likes of Antetokounmpo and Plumlee, and the disparity in size promises to produce a diverse arsenal of innovative aerial acrobatics.
The great part about this contest is that it helps lesser-known players in the Association gain exposure on a national stage. One example of this is 2012 champion Jeremy Evans, who hardly sees the floor for the Utah Jazz but is nevertheless a special athlete.
Since all these rumored participants are younger, up-and-coming players who figure to be big names someday, the 2015 edition of this competition promises to be worth tuning in for.
