While the event has lost some of its luster from once being the most highly-anticipated event of the weekend, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest will still step to center stage on Saturday night.
Mac McClung will look to defend his title as the Slam Dunk Champion after many proclaimed he saved the contest with his impressive array of dunks last year.
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Slam Dunk Contest rules and odds
The field is loaded with three other talented athletes including Jaylen Brown being the first player to participate in both the All-Star Game and Dunk Contest since DeAndre Jordan in 2017.
Here is a breakdown of the rules and contestants of the contest
NBA Slam Dunk Contest rules
- All 4 contestants will compete in a two-round competition
- Each dunker has 90 seconds to complete the dunk
- Five judges will grade each dunk on a scale of 40-50
- The two dunkers with the highest scores after the first two rounds advance to the championship
- The dunker with the highest score in the final round wins
NBA Slam Dunk Contest odds
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
NBA Slam Dunk Contest contestants overview
Mac McClung: -170
Mac McClung enters as the favorite to win it all and for good reason. The defending champion has made a name for himself with his impressive dunking abilities dating back to his time spent in high school.
While McClung continues to be focused on carving out a full-time NBA role for himself, the former Texas Tech product has not logged any minutes at the NBA level this season. The 6-foot-2 guard will be looking to take advantage of his reported 43.5-inch vertical and one-up his performance from last year.
His leaping ability and creativity will be tough to beat and there is no other participant in which this event means so much.
Jaylen Brown: +350
In what will hopefully set a trend moving forward, Jaylen Brown becomes the highest-caliber level of NBA player to compete in this contest in quite some time.
He continues to be a vital part of the Celtics, who continue to lead the Eastern Conference and is averaging 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The three-time All-Star has an impressive dunk package of his own, complete with a 40-inch vertical and a more aggressive style to the way he slams it down.
Brown admitted this week that he has never competed in a dunk contest before, but elected to accept the offer from the NBA the third time in his career he received an invite.
This will be a new setting for Brown, but if he can replicate some of his impressive in-game performances on this stage it is impossible to fully rule him out.
Jacob Toppin: +425
Another G League standout, Jacob Toppin has logged just 15 total minutes at the NBA level in his NBA career.
This has nothing to do with the 23-year-old’s athleticism as he has reportedly recorded a 45-inch vertical before. He also is the younger brother to Indiana Pacers standout Obi Toppin, who won the NBA dunk contest in 2022.
Toppin also enters as the tallest competing member, measuring in at 6-foot-8. While Jacob’s dunk package is not as well known, he possesses every bit of the same athleticism and this could be just the stage to show off his abilities.
He recently saw his contract converted into a two-way deal and this could prove to be a valuable opportunity to showcase his skills to the NBA world.
Jaime Jaquez Jr: +550
A sneaky athlete who outperformed his expected metrics at the NBA combine this year, Jaime Jaquez Jr has quietly been one of the best rookies in the class.
The 6-foot-6 Miami Heat standout won a dunk contest back in high school while competing against 76ers’ high-flier KJ Martin and NFL wide receiver Drake London. On the season he has averaged 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists- proving to be a valuable part of the Miami Heat rotation.
While it is clear he has some tricks up his sleeve, his 39-inch vertical he recorded at the combine still comes in last among these competitors.
It will be interesting to see what Jacquez Jr comes up with, but he may need some significant creativity in his dunks to have a chance at winning this contest.
NBA Slam Dunk Contest pick
In a better world there is deeper value on the board, but stick with the favorite and take Mac McClung to become the first back-to-back Slam Dunk Champion since Zach LaVine in 2015 & 2016.
This is a huge opportunity for McClung to continue to make his talents known on the biggest stage. His slender frame and eye-popping vertical create a high floor for how impressive each dunk looks and he does not lack creativity for stringing together another impressive performance.
His performance last year belongs in the conversation among the best dunk contest performances ever and he has teased he has even more in the tank. McClung made the absolute most of his All-Star moment last year and should be expected to do the exact same in this contest.
Past Dunk Contest champions
| Year | Winner |
| 2023 | Mac McClung |
| 2022 | Obi Toppin |
| 2021 | Anfernee Simons |
| 2020 | Derrick Jones Jr |
| 2019 | Hamidou Diallo |
| 2018 | Donovan Mitchell |
| 2017 | Glenn Robinson III |
| 2016 | Zach LaVine |
| 2015 | Zach Lavine |
| 2014 | John Wall |
| 2013 | Terrance Ross |
Slam Dunk Contest trends
- 6 Players have won Multiple Dunk Contests in NBA History (Zach LaVine, Jason Richardson, Harold Miner, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Nate Robinson)
- Only Zach LaVine, Michael Jordan, Nate Robinson, and Jason Richardson have won the contest in back-to-back years
- Kobe Bryant is the youngest player to win a dunk contest at 18 years old in 1997
- There have been 86 total perfect 50s given out in dunk contest history
About the author
Sean Barnard
Sean Barnard has worked in sports media for the past five years. He has spent time as the 76ers Lead Writer for Philly Sports Network, Associate Editor at CluchPoints, Eagles Beat Reporter for YardBarker, and more. He also owns and operates his own Podcast Network called Pick Swap Media and is a radio host on Fox 102.5 The Gambler presented by iHeartMedia. Sean has written over 1500 articles and recorded over 500 podcasts and is just getting started. Based out of the Philadelphia region in the United States, Sean is a lifelong passionate sports fan who can be reached on Twitter at @Sean_Barnard1 where he rattles off basketball breakdowns and other news.
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