Timberwolves Zach LaVine To Compete In Dunk Contest

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Tuesday that rookie guard Zach LaVine will represent the team in the 2015 Sprite Slam Dunk contest as part of the NBA's All-Star weekend.

LaVine will compete in the dunk contest against Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Victor Oladipo of the Orlando Magic and Mason Plumlee of the Brooklyn Nets.

"It's been one of my dreams to compete in the All-Star slam dunk contest ever since I was a little kid," LaVine said. "My plan is to give the judges and NBA fans a great show."

LaVine was drafted by the Timberwolves with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft. He's averaging eight points, 3.4 assists and more than 22 minutes per game in 41 games, including 21 starts.

He's the sixth Timberwolves player to compete in the dunk contest. He joins Isaiah Rider, Derrick Williams, Gerald Green, Chris Carr and Doug West. Rider won the dunk contest in 1994.

The dunk contest is Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.