New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has 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 the All-Star Weekend not just for the Dunk Contest, but also the All-Star Game.
"I gotta do my part and make the All-Star Game. If I'm in the All-Star Game, I'll do the dunk contest. But if not, I'm not doing it," the 23-year-old said after their dominant 139-98 win against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, March 5 on the road at the Scotiabank Arena.
Williamson has earned a spot in the All-Star Game twice in his career, achieving this feat in 2021 and 2023.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend will be held at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, in San Francisco, California, from February 14 to 16, 2025.
Meanwhile, Williamson could add much-needed star power in the Slam Dunk Contest, which has faced a decline in quality for the past few years.
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Shaquille O'Neal has some advice for Zion Williamson
Williamson did not 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 talk, it's just telling me that you're not fully confident in yourself," the four-time NBA champion said during TNT's postgame show.
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