With the Milwaukee Bucks' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday being postponed and their home game vs. the Miami Heat in doubt on Thursday, news had gone slightly quiet surrounding the Bucks other than the trade rumors still circling.
This Thursday afternoon, ESPN insider Shams Charania announced that second-year wing Andre Jackson Jr. has committed to the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in mid-February. He will join rookies Stephon Castle and Matas Buzelis, as well as one other participant, at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
The AT&T Slam Dunk contest will take place on Saturday, February 15th following the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest.
Dunk Contest commitment is the icing on a great season so far for Andre Jackson Jr.
The 2023 National Champion with UConn has had a breakout season in Milwaukee and has become a key component in the Bucks rising up the standings and into the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Jackson has broken into the starting lineup following the team's slow 2-9 start. Despite not filling up the stat sheet, his impact doesn't go unnoticed by his teammates and the fans.
In 31 starts, the Bucks have won 20 and lost 11. Without him starting they have won just four of 10 games.
Looking back to the start of the season, Jackson barely featured in the first four games, playing a combined 12 minutes. As the Bucks' record continued to increase in the loss column, credit goes to Doc Rivers for making the change to bring the 2023 second-round pick into the starting lineup. Jackson also deserves huge amounts of credit for his performances.
Many saw flashes of potential last season but now he's vital to any success the Bucks will experience. He makes the lives of his teammates much easier and opponents' more difficult.
This season, Jackson is averaging 3.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on shooting splits of .442/.362/.538. As mentioned, those numbers don't light up the stat sheet, but his defensive impact is one of the best on the team. He's heading for All-Defensive votes with a defended field goal percentage of just 43.6.
Andre Jackson Jr. has highest vertical of any Dunk Contest competitor
Looking at the dunk contest, Jackson has shown his great vertical ability on the court as he's added much-needed athleticism to the Bucks. He's aiding crashing the glass, as well as contesting and blocking shots. The sophomore has a 40-inch vertical, higher than both of his announced competitors.
The last time the Bucks had someone enter the Dunk Contest was Pat Connaughton in 2020, with Giannis Antetokounmpo competing in 2015. Ray Allen and Paul Pressey are the only other members of the Bucks to compete. That makes two former UConn players and Bucks in Allen and Jackson to compete in the festivities.
Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are expected to be playing in the All-Star Game and no doubt we will see them supporting Jackson, maybe even featuring in his dunks. Other names to keep an eye out for are AJ Green and Taurean Prince being possibilities for the 3-point contest.
It's very exciting to see one of the young Bucks prospering and getting their flowers. I'm sure all Bucks fans cannot wait to see Andre Jackson Jr. compete in the NBA Dunk Contest and cheer him on.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks news and analysis.