2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Picks, Participants, How it Works
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has some illustrious winners in its past, including Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. One of four participants this season will try to add their name to the record books in the 2025 Slam Dunk Contest.
Below, we’ll highlight each participant leading up to the Slam Dunk Contest, including projections for each participant in the first round from PrizePicks.
The Slam Dunk Contest is the last of the three All-Star Saturday Night events, following the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest, with the festivities getting started at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and truTV.
PrizePicks is the easiest way to get real money action on the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, as well as the 3-Point Contest. Pick more or less on dunk contest stat projections and get paid if your picks are correct.
Who is in the 2025 Slam Dunk Contest?
Here is the list of 2025 Slam Dunk Contest participants.
- Osceola Magic G Mac McClung (G League), 6-foot-2,
- Bucks G Andre Jackson Jr., 6-foot-6, 39.5-inch vertical
- Spurs G Stephon Castle, 6-foot-6, 37-inch vertical
- Bulls F Matas Buzelis, 6-foot-10, 38-inch vertical
The Dunk Contest judges will decide a score for each dunk. Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Baron Davis, and Jason Richardson will judge the Slam Dunk Contest. Fans will also be able to vote live with the NBA app.
How Does the Slam Dunk Contest Work?
The 2025 Slam Dunk Contest is two rounds long. In the first round, participants get two dunk attempts. The two highest composite scores from the judges will advance to the next round.
Each of the two finalists will complete two dunks over a minute and 30 seconds (or three attempts), with the best score winning.
2025 Slam Dunk Contest Picks, Projections for PrizePicks
Below, find the 2025 Slam Dunk Contest picks, analysis, and projections on PrizePicks for all four participants, including expected scores for Round 1.
Osceola Magic G Mac McClung (G League)
Mac McClung is a 6-foot-2 guard that currently plays for the Osceola Magic in the G League. While McClung is the shortest participant in the dunk contest, he also has an absurd 43.5-inch vertical, which makes for some incredible dunks in past years.
He played in one game for the Orlando Magic this season, which came against the Grizzlies in October. In total, he has appeared in just five NBA games during his career.
While McClung has yet to establish himself in the NBA, he has had plenty of success in the NBA Slam Dunk contest. McClung has won this event in each of the last two seasons.
In 2023, he defeated Pelicans F Trey Murphy III in the final round with an absurd 540 slam. In 2024, he defeated Celtics F Jaylen Brown in the final round with a reverse two-handed dunk over Shaq.
PrizePicks Projection – 97.5 Round 1 Score
Bucks G Andre Jackson Jr.
The Bucks selected Andre Jackson Jr. in the second round of the 2023 Draft. He barely played his rookie season, averaging 10 minutes over 57 games. He has taken on a more prominent role this season, even starting in each of his last 40 games.
However, he has averaged just 17 minutes per game. In his draft class, Jackson had the fifth-highest max vertical leap at 39.5 inches.
Despite limited playing time, Jackson has had some show-stopping dunks in his short NBA career. While he’s incredible in-game as a dunker, it has yet to be seen how it will translate to this contest.
PrizePicks Projection – 93.5 Round 1 Score
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Spurs G Stephon Castle
The Spurs selected G Stephon Castle with the fourth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and has a ton of upside on a young Spurs team. The 6-foot-6 guard who is leading NBA Rookie of the Year discussion has both started and come off the bench for the Spurs, averaging 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Castle had a 37.0-inch max vertical leap during his draft combine, which is a bit underwhelming.
Castle has the chance to put his name on the map this weekend, as he already won the Rising Stars MVP trophy on Friday night, with 11 points and three assists — including on the game-winning 3-pointer. His Rising Stars team will advance to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday, meaning he’ll be in action all three days this weekend.
PrizePicks Projection – 94.5 Round 1 Score
Bulls F Matas Buzelis
The Bulls drafted F Matas Buzelis 11th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. At 6-foot-10, he is the tallest player in this year’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He has been playing more lately for the Bulls after they traded Zach LaVine to the Kings, averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across his last eight games.
During his draft combine, Buzelis had a max vertical leap of 38.0 inches, which gives him a ton of length.
Check out Buzelis’ highlight reel dunks from his rookie season courtesy of the Bulls here:
PrizePicks Projection – 94.5 Round 1 Score
NBA Dunk Contest Historical Trends
Here are some historical trends to consider in the 2025 NBA Dunk Contest on Saturday night.
- No player has ever won three NBA Slam Dunk contests in a row. Nate Robinson won three times, but they were not consecutive. McClung will be going for his third straight win tonight.
- The four players who won back-to-back NBA Slam Dunk contests are McClung, Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Zach LaVine, and Robinson.
- Guards have won five of the last seven NBA Slam Dunk contests.
- Only six players who are 6-foot-9 or taller have won the NBA Slam Dunk contest. They are Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Larry Nance, Jeremy Evans, Josh Smith, and Obi Toppin. Buzelis will look to join them.
Build Your NBA Slam Dunk Contest Lineups on PrizePicks
We could witness history if McClung wins the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk contest this year, and he comes into the contest as the public favorite. Youngsters Jackson, Castle, and Buzelis will be trying to dethrone him and put their name on the map tonight.
Get in on the action for the potentially historic Slam Dunk Contest by building an NBA Lineup for All-Star Saturday on PrizePicks.
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