Weeks ago, it was reported that Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. was expected to be a participant in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star weekend. The report was covered on the site here.
Following right after the initial news about it, Jaquez Jr. addressed the media by saying he could not “confirm or deny” if that report was true.
However, in the last 24 hours it is officially official.
The Miami Heat released a statement on the news:
Confirmed: MIAMI, FL – The NBA announced today that two-time Rookie of the Month Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been selected to participate in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest. Jaquez Jr. will be the fourth Miami player to participate in the Slam Dunk event, joining 2020 winner Derrick Jones Jr., two-time winner Harold Miner (1995 & 1993) and Billy Thompson (1990). The HEAT will now be represented each night during All-Star Weekend with Jaquez Jr. playing in the Rising Stars game on Friday night, participating in the Slam Dunk competition Saturday night and Bam Adebayo playing in the All-Star Game on Sunday night.
The contest will take place on Saturday night of All-Star Weekend on February 17 at 8:00 PM EST on TNT. It will feature defending Champion Mac McClung, Miami’s JJJ, Jacob Toppin, and Jaylen Brown.
It will be some stiff competition for rookie Jaquez Jr, who will have to overtake the hype of not only McClung, but also Boston Celtic’s superstar Jaylen Brown.
Regardless, anything can happen and JJJ will for sure savor the moment of being under those bright light’s during a well known and respected event across the NBA so early in his career.
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!