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The NBA D-League All-Star game (and related festivities) are set to take place in the heart of Brooklyn at the Barclays Center on Sunday, February 15th. As such, we're inching closer and closer to the reveal, not only of the All-Star Game participants, but also of those who will be strutting their stuff in the Slam Dunk Contest and Three Point Shootout.
With that in mind, here's a look at the four high-flying, freakishly athletic, youngsters RidiculousUpside.com would place in the minor league's dunk contest, if we had our way.
Ra'shad James, Reno Bighorns
This here is an obvious (and easy one), as James is the toast of the town when it comes to rim-rattling slams in the D-League. He's notably gotten robbed before of earning such a champion title for this contest, but with two-time dunk champ Tony Mitchell (of Fort Wayne Mad Ants' fame) currently strutting his stuff overseas, this one is the Bighorns' guard's to lose.
In an elevated role for Reno, James is averaging 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists this season.Take a look below for some of his high-flying highlights.
Casey Prather, Bakersfield Jam
Prather would be a new and fresh face entering the contest, but there's no doubt he would turn some heads his first time out. The guard is one of the most athletic players in all of the D-League, and certainly has the high-flying hops necessary to get to the rim and power it home with authority.
Prather has averaged 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals as a key member on Bakersfield's ever successful team this season. Continue reading below for a couple of the highlights on his dunking resume.
Dominique Sutton, Santa Cruz Warriors
While Sutton may be a bit older than some of the other suggested (and/or subsequently selected) participants, he can still get up just as high and/or power it home just as effectively. No stranger to such competitions, Sutton actually won the Slam Dunk Contest held by the D-League during its annual showcase in 2013, when he was a member of the Tulsa 66ers.
Since joining the Warriors midseason, the forward has averaged 8.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. Continue reading below for his most eye-popping highlights.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Westchester Knicks
As one of the most popular players in all of the NBA D-League, it'd be well worth having Antetokounmpo take flight in this contest. After all, he does play for the "hometown" Westchester squad, with All-Star festivities taking place in the Big Apple this year. He showed promise while competing in the contest last season, even jumping over brother Giannis. He'll have to pull out all the stops if he wants a chance at winning this one.
The second-year D-Leaguer is averaging 13.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals during the campaign for the Knicks. Take a look below for proof he deserves another shot in the contest.