The official lineup for the 2022 NBA dunk contest has finally been revealed, and it features some exciting young names.
According to The Athletic, Jalen Green, Obi Toppin, Cole Anthony, and Juan Toscano-Anderson have agreed to become this year’s participants.
Houston Rockets rookie Jalen Green will headline the NBA Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, sources tell The Athletic. The Rockets rookie will join Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony, Golden State Warriors small forward Juan Toscano-Anderson and New York Knicks power forward Obi Toppin.
The Slam Dunk Contest will take place on Feb. 19 in Cleveland, Ohio, following the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest.
Cole Anthony, 21, and Toscano-Anderson, 28, will be making their first appearance on the Slam Dunk Contest roster while Toppin is making his return after losing to Blazers youngster Anfernee Simons last year.
Jalen Green is the least experienced of the bunch, but he might be the most interesting participant. As the 2nd overall pick in the 2021 Draft, he has the potential to be a future star for the Rockets. For now, he is just angling to build up his resume with a Dunk Contest victory and, hopefully, a Rookie of the Year trophy.
“The goal is to win rookie of the year and the fact that I didn’t go #1 is certainly motivation.”
These players will no doubt make things exciting for the Dunk Contest and it gives us fans just another thing to look forward to later this month.
Of course, the Dunk Contest as a whole has become a matter of contention in recent years. Some have noticed a sharp decline in the quality of the event as it often gets overshadowed by the three-point contest and even the Skills Challenge.
In any case, the annual dunker’s showcase is a classic and treasured part of All-Star weekend and it will take is some energy and creativity to make it special for everyone.
