Houston Rockets rookie Jalen Green is expected to join Orlando’s Cole Anthony, Golden State’s Juan Toscano-Anderson, and New York’s Obi Toppin in the NBA’s 2022 slam dunk contest at All-Star weekend in Cleveland on Feb. 19, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Green, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2021 NBA draft, is Houston’s first participant in the dunk contest since Chase Budinger in 2012. Other Rockets to have participated historically include Steve Francis in 2002 and 2000, Kenny Smith in 1993 and 1991, and Ralph Sampson in 1984. No Rockets player has ever won the flagship event.
A 6-foot-6 guard with explosive athleticism, Green is averaging 14.1 points and 3.3 rebounds in 30.1 minutes per game this season. He missed nearly a month of action from late November until late December with a hamstring injury, but that appears to have fully healed, as evidenced by his apparent choice to take part in the NBA’s dunk contest.
Toppin lost in the final round of the 2021 dunk contest to Portland’s Anfernee Simons. For Green, Toscano-Anderson, and Anthony, it will be the first time that each has participated in the dunk contest.
Sources: Houston Rockets rookie Jalen Green will headline the NBA Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. Expected participants: pic.twitter.com/5Y7rAmESF8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2022
