RENO, Nev. - Former Nevada Center JaVale McGee will participate in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest during the NBA's 2011 All-Star Festivities at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif. In one of the youngest fields of contestants ever, the 22-year-old McGee will be the oldest participant in the Feb. 19th event. McGee's competition will be rookie Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Serge Ibaka.
McGee was selected by the Washington Wizards with the 18th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft after playing two seasons at Nevada. In his sophomore season, McGee averaged 14.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and almost three blocks per game. McGee's 7.3 rebounds led the Wolf Pack in 2008 and his 92 blocks are second most in a season in Nevada history.
A new rule to the 2011 dunk contest will pair each contest with a dunk coach. McGee will be coached by former Rookie of the Year and 5-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber. In his third season with the Washington Wizards, McGee is averaging 9.1 points, 2.5 blocks and 8.2 rebounds in just over 27 minutes per game.
