Glenn Robinson III has talked for more than a year about how if he only had an opportunity to compete in the NBA’s annual Slam Dunk contest, the featured event of All-Star Saturday night.
Robinson III will get that chance come Feb. 18 in New Orleans. He’s been selected to participate in the Slam Dunk contest, a league source confirmed to VigilantSports.com.
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical first reported that the Pacers guard would participate.
Robinson III’s teammate, Myles Turner, will play in the Rising Stars Challenge — set for Friday, Feb. 17 at 9:00 pm ET on TNT.
From last July: Podcast with Glenn Robinson III
During last year’s competition, then teammate Solomon Hill suggested that Robinson III took part. The two are still very close. If Hill, who signed a hefty deal with New Orleans in the offseason, remains in town during All-Star Weekend rather than going home to Los Angeles, it’ll be interesting to see if the two teammates work together once again, as Glenn suggested.
@solohill you already know, Ima have u throwing the pass tho
— Glenn Robinson III (@GRIII) February 14, 2016
Months later, Robinson III continued to make a push to compete.
@davidib17 🤔I can't tell you all my secrets, hoping to get in the dunk contest one day😉
— Way Of Wade (@WayofWade) April 15, 2016
The 23-year-old guard, originally drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves 40th overall in 2014, has started in more than half of the Pacers’ games this season (24). With a greater role, he has averaged career highs 6.0 points, 3.7 reobunds, and 2.8 assists per game.
Robinson III becomes the eighth different Pacer to compete in the Slam Dunk contest:
1984-85: Terrence Stansbury, 3rd
1985-86: Terrence Stansbury, 3rd
1990-91: Kenny Williams, 5th
1993-94: Antonio Davis, 5th
2000-01: Jonathan Bender, t-4th
2003-04: Fred Jones, 1st
2011-12: Paul George, t-3rd
2012-13: Gerald Green
2013-14: Paul George, 1st — with Terrence Ross (Toronto), John Wall (Washington)
[Click here to watch highlights of the 2016 Slam Dunk contest, won for the second straight year by Zach LaVine of the Timberwolves.]
[Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E]