OKC Thunder rookie Hamidou Diallo named 2019 Slam Dunk Contest participant
By Alex Mcewen
Ultra athletic OKC Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo has reportedly been confirmed as a participant in the 2019 Slam Dunk Contest.
Rookie OKC Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo has been named a participant in the 2019 Slam Dunk Contest, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. Haynes noted Diallo will replace Miami Heat guard Derrick Jones Jr., who was originally scheduled to compete before suffering a knee injury.
Over the past six years, three rookies have become the Slam Dunk champion, Diallo will seek to become the fourth since 2013. This season Diallo has thrown down 21 dunks, let’s view some of his best slams thus far:
November 5, vs the Pelicans
December 17, against Chicago
December 23, vs Minnesota
History and other participants
Diallo will become the second OKC Thunder Slam Dunk Contest participant, the first was Serge Ibaka in 2011. Overall Diallo will be the sixth Thunder player competing on All-Star Saturday night, past competitors include Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, Paul George, and Ibaka.
In the 2019 Slam Dunk Contest Diallo will be joined by Miles Bridges of the Hornets and the recently traded Dennis Smith Jr. of the Knicks. Bridges has connected on 36-45 dunk attempts this season, whereas Smith Jr. matches Diallo exactly going 21-22 on slams this year.
Oklahoma City guard Hamidou Diallo is expected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 1, 2019
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All-Star Saturday night follows the Celebrity Game and Rising Stars game on Friday night and precedes the All-Star game on Sunday. Traditionally, the order of events on Saturday has been the Skills Challenge, followed by the 3-Point Contest, with the Slam Dunk Contest closing the evening.
Other All-Star News
On Friday afternoon, NBA commissioner Adam Silver named Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki special additions to the All-Star rosters. Wade announced the 2018-19 season would be his 15th and final season, this is expected to be Dirk’s 20th and final season, but he has kept the possibility of playing beyond this campaign open. Either way, this is a classy move by the league and it will add even more prestige to the event.
Next. Russell Westbrook selected as reserve for 2019 All-Star Game. dark
Thunderous Intentions will have full coverage of All-Star weekend 2019, check back for updates on the events and the involvement from OKC Thunder players.