(Photo: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – Zion Williamson (#1) of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks the ball during the second period of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on December 15 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson agreed to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, but he has a preliminary goal to accomplish before entering the competition.
The 6-foot-6 power forward wants to ensure that he will be in town for All-Star Weekend, not only for the Dunk Contest, but also for the All-Star Game.
“I have to do my part and make the All-Star Game. If I make the All-Star Game, I’ll make the dunk contest. But if not, I won’t.” the 23 year old said following their dominant 139-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, March 5, on the road at Scotiabank Arena.
Williamson has earned a spot in the All-Star Game twice in his career, achieving this feat in 2021 and 2023.
NBA All-Star Weekend 2025 will take place at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, in San Francisco, California, February 14-16, 2025.
Meanwhile, Williamson could add some much-needed star power to the Slam Dunk Contest, who faced a decline in quality for several years.
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Shaquille O’Neal has some advice for Zion Williamson
Williamson didn’t impress Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal, who commented on the Pelicans star’s promise.
“When I make the All-Star team, yes. All that, if I speak, it just tells me that you don’t have full confidence in yourself,” the four-time NBA champion said during the TNT postgame show.
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