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The Full 2023 NBA #ATTSlamDunk Contest!

The Full 2023 NBA #ATTSlamDunk Contest!

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The FULL 2023 NBA ATTSlamDunk Contest

The 2023 NBA #ATTSlamDunk Contest was an amazing spectacle, featuring no shortage of amazing dunks - Mac McClung from the Philadelphia 76ers being one of them.

He began with a tap-the-glass dunk over two people, then jumped a person while doing 360 windmill before landing with an impressive 540 baseline dunk. Earning him an impressive 50 from the judges, the 76ers' two-way guard earned an impressive perfect score of 50.

Mac McClung

Mac McClung, a 24-year-old two-way guard who recently signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, put on an incredible performance during The FULL 2023 NBA #ATTSlamDunk Contest. He earned praise from basketball stars on social media with Magic Johnson proclaiming him to have "saved the contest," after four consecutive dunks earned perfect 50 scores.

In a competition that had seen an uptick in popularity over the years, McClung put on an incredible show worthy of Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. His dunks Saturday afternoon were more than just impressive feats of athleticism; they told a story of one young man from a small Virginia town who took risks and never gave up.

McClung is a YouTube phenomenon, with his high school highlight reels garnering over three million views. In Gate City, Virginia where he grew up, McClung has become something of a cult favorite. For his final dunk at the 2019 NCAA tournament, he didn't hold back: he donned his old high school jersey as an act of gratitude to all those who have supported him throughout the years.

The G League star pulled off an amazing windmill dunk, earning 19 perfect scores from the judges and leaving everyone on the sidelines in awe. As such, he is now the first G League player to win the Slam Dunk Contest - something he said had been his goal since beginning of professional career.

His second dunk of the night, which saw him grab the ball off his top man and leap over two people for a clear 50, set the tone. He followed that up with another impressive 360 baseline windmill in round two as well as a reverse jam to advance him to the finals against Trey Murphy III where he hit an incredible 540 for an impressive 99.8 rating in the judges' eyes.

If you haven't watched the slow-mo replay of that last dunk, you are missing out on an incredible masterpiece. It starts as a traditional 360 dunk but then McClung pumps it up and sends it flying through his hip to put the ball exactly where he wants it - again and again. It truly is one of a kind.

Trey Murphy III

NBA All-Star Weekend is quickly approaching and many talented young players will be taking to the court for the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. While some are already well known as dunk specialists, others have just recently joined the league and will be making their debut.

The dunk contest has long been a mainstay at All-Star Weekend, and the NBA has featured some of its greatest dunkers. Additionally, this competition has served as an invaluable stepping stone for many budding stars like Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter or Andrew Iguodala; helping put them on the fast track towards stardom.

This year's All-Star Weekend will once again include New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III. He joins Shaddon Sharpe of the Portland Trail Blazers, Kenyon Martin Jr. of the Houston Rockets and Mac McClung of the Philadelphia 76ers as one of four new participants in this elite group.

This season, Murphy has become a rising star in the NBA, posting impressive stats on both ends of the floor. His average scoring and rebounding numbers across 31 minutes per game this year stand at 20.8 points and 6.5 rebounds respectively; additionally, he shot 55% from the field and 37% from three-point range.

In the dunk contest, he has shown an ability to get creative with his jumps and show off plenty of flight time as a 6'2" combo guard. Now he hopes to take his performance to the next level in this competition and could be one of the key players to watch out for during All-Star Weekend.

The dunk contest is always an electrifying spectacle, and this year promises to be even more captivating with four of the top up-and-coming NBA players competing: Jericho Sims, KJ Martin, Mac McClung and Trey Murphy III.

The dunk contest has become a signature part of NBA All-Star Weekend, and these four players have everything to gain in this tournament. While everyone expects them to do well, will one of them be able to shock us all?

Kenyon Martin Jr.

Martin is the son of former NBA player Kenyon Martin and played college basketball at the University of Cincinnati. During his senior season, he earned national college player of the year honors and went on to be selected with the first overall pick in the NBA draft - becoming only the fourth American-born college basketball player ever selected that way.

Martin spent his post-graduate year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. His father is an accomplished basketball coach and Martin has served as an assistant coach for IMG's men's team for several years.

As a member of the Houston Rockets, Martin has established himself as an excellent fantasy option in deeper category and points leagues. Additionally, he can serve as an effective streaming option for 12-team formats that require an efficient scorer who can also contribute some boards when necessary.

Martin has been on a tear over his past 10 games, averaging 15.4 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 59.8% from the field and 53.2 percent from three-point range. As the Rockets look to build up their bench, Martin may see an increased workload as Kevin Porter (foot) and Jalen Green (suspension) remain out with injuries.

Martin scored 20 points (8-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-6 FT) and pulled down seven rebounds in 35 minutes of Friday's 117-111 loss to the Raptors, giving him over 20 minutes in each of his last six games. It will be important for him not to overexert himself while getting used to their new system; however, there is room for his expanded role to develop further.

Over his last four games, He's been particularly impressive, averaging 15.0 points and 9.3 rebounds while showing off good shot selection, drawing fouls, and converting on offense. Furthermore, he's hitting career highs in 3-pointers made per game as well as field goal percentage.

He's a valuable addition to the Rockets' rotation, but his increased playing time will come to an end once Porter and Green return from injury. While his production is uncertain, making him a risky option for those in 12-team formats or shallower categories. His versatility and shooting make him a viable streaming option in deeper leagues; however, his inconsistent play makes him less appealing in more modest competition.

Jericho Sims

Ten years have passed since the NBA dunk contest became one of sports' hottest events. Unfortunately, its star-studded aura is beginning to wear thin as many top dunkers have retired from competing.

Shaydon Sharpe of Portland has announced that he will focus on the second half of the season, leaving New York Knicks center Jericho Sims to join a field of four that includes Houston Rockets' Kenyon Martin Jr., New Orleans Pelicans' Trey Murphy III and G League standout Mac McClung.

All these players share one trait: they're known as jam specialists. While none are quite ready to make the NBA, each is renowned for his dunks.

Sims was a sophomore who helped Texas Longhorns win the NIT. His average of 5.0 points and 3.9 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game earned him an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection.

Sims, 22, is a promising young star with plenty to offer the NBA. His footwork and ability to guard smaller players make him an excellent defender; he's even been known to step out and guard big men at Texas and in the G-League.

He's a versatile player, capable of playing either center or power forward. So far this season he's seen action at both positions and hasn't displayed any noticeable drops in his play.

That makes him a viable fantasy option in 9-cat formats, particularly if Mitchell Robinson remains absent from the lineup. Isaiah Hartenstein has proven to be more reliable without Robinson and it's possible that his minutes may continue to increase until Robinson returns from injury.

For now, it's wise to stock up on Sims in case he can replace Hartenstein as starter when Robinson returns. As the sole representative in this year's dunk contest, Sims has a lot riding on so make sure to give him your attention over the next two weeks.

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