With the All-Star weekend just a few weeks away, the NBA has finally announced the participants for the exciting Saturday night festivities.To the delight of Dallas Mavericks fans and neutrals across the league, Dennis Smith Jr. has been confirmed as one of four players to feature in the Slam Dunk Contest.The athletic rookie has produced a highlight reel of sensational dunks throughout the season and there was a clamour for the 20-year-old to be invited to take part.Smith has wowed the fans in Dallas with his explosive athleticism and his ability to soar to the rim and they'll get to see him showcase this in L.A.
Another first-time participant will be Los Angeles Lakers big man Larry Nance Jr. who has also had a collection of outrageous dunks during his young career in the league.
Since entering in 2015, Nance has practically produced a dunk of the season contender in all three of his years and has proven to be one of the most athletic big men in the NBA.
This dunk over now teammate Brook Lopez in the 2016/17 campaign was regarded as one of the best dunks:
He will also be a leading contender this year for this incredible slam over Kevin Durant:
The 25-year-old will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father, Larry Nance, who won the inaugural competition in 1984.
The duo will be joined by some familiar faces as Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic will feature for the third consecutive year and Indiana Pacers All-Star Victor Oladipo will join the field for the second time in his career after previously doing so in 2015.
Oladipo will be hoping to have better luck in his second try as he finished as runner-up to Zach LaVine on that occasion.
He and Gordon have something in common in that respect as the Magic high-flyer also came second to LaVine in 2016.
The pair were involved in a classic battle two years ago but the Magic power forward failed to replicate his exploits in New Orleans last season and disappointingly fell in the first round.
He'll be hoping it's third time lucky under the bright lights inside Staples Center.
Three-point contest
Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon will return to defend his title in the three-point contest and will face stiff competition from Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson who is keen to reclaim his crown having won it in 2016.
They will be joined by Paul George, Bradley Beal, Kyle Lowry, Devin Booker, Tobias Harris and Wayne Ellington.
Both contests will take place on February 17 and it's sure to be a thrilling night of entertainment with the stars on display.