New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson was the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. The 23-year-old forward has been named to two NBA All-Star teams, despite suffering from injuries for most of his career. professional basketball career.
Williamson was mostly healthy during the 2020-21 season, when he appeared in 61 games. He averaged 27 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He earned All-Star honors for his performance that season. He's also been available for the most part this season, appearing in 51 of the Pelicans' games so far.
Despite averaging 22.1 points and 5.1 assists this season, Williamson was not selected to the All-Star Game. The NBA recently implemented rules requiring players to play a minimum number of games in order to qualify for major awards like MVP. But it appears Zion has his sights set on being named to the All-Star team for the third time in his career.
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Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 2, 2023 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Williams promised to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk competition, but only if he was selected as an All-Star.
“I have to do my part and make the All-Star Game. If I'm in the All-Star Game, I'll do the dunk contest,” he said. “But if I don't do it, I won't do it.”
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The overall appeal of the dunk contest has declined significantly in recent years as NBA stars have opted out of the competition. However, Williamson's eventual commitment is the latest sign that star players' interest in the competition could be increasing.
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of the West Semifinal game of the NBA Season Opening Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on December 7, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Pelicans 133-89. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown participated in this year's dunk contest, but G League player Mac McClung ultimately won his second straight contest.
Williamson remains one of the most explosive, above-the-basket athletes in the league. He routinely throws down highlight-worthy dunks during Pelicans games.
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Prior to Brown's participation in last month's contest, DeAndre Jordan's performance in 2017 marked the last time an All-Star competed in the dunk contest.
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