Sports Mac McClung’s three-peat as the Slam Dunk Contest champion has inspired no no longer as a lot as one completely different superstar to doubtlessly invent in the tournament.
Ja Morant signaled some hobby in doubtlessly performing in the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest in a pair of social media posts on Saturday.
“mac would possibly construct me judge to dunk,” Morant wrote in a single post.
The Grizzlies guard additionally recruited a pair of heroes of Slam Dunk Contests previous to doubtlessly join him.
“zach & AG wassup,” Morant wrote in a apply-up post with an eyes emoji.
That post, presumably, changed into intended for Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon. LaVine, a two-time winner, and Gordon had been considered as two of among the very best performers in the history of the tournament. LaVine took down Gordon in the closing spherical of the tournament in 2016, earning a ultimate rating on all four of his dunks while Gordon received a ultimate rating on three of his makes an are trying as the spherical wished a dunk off.
LaVine hasn’t performed in the tournament since his victory in 2016. Gordon, meanwhile, performed in the tournament two more times, controversially shedding in 2020. In that loss, Gordon posted a ultimate rating on five of his dunks, shedding yet again in a tie-breaker.
With the a quantity of ultimate dunks he’s attach up over the years, Gordon completely held the file for the most dunks with a ultimate rating in Slam Dunk Contest history except Saturday night. McClung attach up four ultimate dunks to rating Saturday’s tournament, alongside side a dunk over a automobile, matching Gordon’s file for the most dunks with a ultimate rating in the history of the Slam Dunk Contest.
While LaVine, Gordon and McClung bear brought thrilling dunks to the Slam Dunk Contest, arguably no participant has had more thrilling in-sport dunks in most in model memory than Morant. The 6-foot-2 guard has made a habit of posterizing avid gamers taller than him by several inches, giving him several spotlight-reel dunks over his first season in the league.
Consequently of that, Morant has been considered as a dream participant in the Slam Dunk Contest by many followers and media contributors over the years. However he’s been steadfast in his rejection of taking allotment in the tournament, telling Bleacher Chronicle in 2021 that he would handiest enact it if he changed into paid $1 million.
Now, Morant no no longer as a lot as looks originate to the opportunity of performing in the tournament. He would elevate some critical-wished superstar energy to the tournament as neatly. Jaylen Brown is the handiest participant to participate in the tournament in the the same year he changed into named an All-Star over the closing seven seasons. He completed as a runner-up in the 2024 Slam Dunk Contest.
Of route, a quantity of issues can trade between Saturday and All-Star Saturday in Los Angeles in 2026. LeBron James memorably dedicated to participate in the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest while watching Dwight Howard rating the 2010 tournament. However the all-time large has below no instances performed in the Slam Dunk Contest.
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