2008 Sprite Slam Dunk Participants Announced

The Minnesota Timberwolves' Gerald Green will defend his crown in the 2008 Sprite Slam Dunk competition to be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night Feb. 16, at New Orleans Arena (8 p.m. ET on TNT). Green will compete against two first-time entrants – the Memphis Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay and Jamorio Moon of the Toronto Raptors – as well as the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard who competed in the 2007 contest.

For the first time, fans watching will have final say, deciding the winner of the Sprite Slam Dunk competition. Following the concluding round of dunks, fans will be able to cast their votes via SMS TXT message and at NBA.com to determine this year’s winner. The dunker with the most fan votes will be named the winner of the Sprite Slam Dunk. A panel of judges will continue to play a key role by determining which two participants advance to the final round. During the final round, each judge’s vote will count the same as a fan vote.

Golden State’s Jason Richardson was the last player to win back-to-back Sprite Slam Dunk titles, capturing the 2002 and 2003 competitions. The only previous repeat Slam Dunk champion was Chicago’s Michael Jordan, who won the 1987 and 1988 contests.