Orlando Magic high-flying rookie guard Victor Oladipo wants the league to know if they're interested, he's open to throwing down at this season's Slam Dunk Contest.
Oladipo cashed in on a steal he made off Brooklyn's Deron Williams with a 360-degree dunk in Sunday's win and later told the Orlando Sentinel "he would be interested in competing in the annual All-Star Weekend event."
Of his eye-popping acrobatics, Oladipo also told reporters "my teammates kept telling me to be aggressive. I just listened."
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft behind Cleveland's Anthony Bennett, Oladipo developed a reputation as a high-flyer while at Indiana and is quickly establishing himself at the NBA level.
Over the Magic's first four games, he is averaging 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes per game.
The news that a player as high profile as Oladipo is showing interest, even if he's a rookie, is a welcome surprise to league officials, The NBA has been trying for years to reinvigorate what was once one of All-Star Weekend's most popular events. High-flying stars like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose have all resisted overtures to compete in the event recently.
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