“Me, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and Derrick Jones Jr”: Hamidou Diallo, Who Dunked Over Shaquille O’Neal, Reveals Mouthwatering Wishlist for 2023 Dunk Contest

With the 2022-2023 season almost reaching its halfway mark, we have now approached the moment where players make a push for an All-Star selection. Apart from voting for the 24 players who suit for the prestigious All-Star Game, fans also keenly pay close attention to the players who will be participating in the Rising Stars clash, Skills Challenge, 3-Point contest, and the Slam Dunk Competition.

Over the years, the Dunk Competition has been a fan favorite with some iconic and entertaining battles that will be remembered forever. A few of those memorable clashes – Michael Jordan VS Dominique Wilkins in 1988, Vince Carter VS Tracy McGrady in 2000, and Zach LaVine VS Aaron Gordon in 2016, among a long list of others.

Unfortunately, since the famous 2016 duel between LaVine and Gordon, we haven’t been lucky enough to witness a dunk contest quite up to the mark. However, according to a former Dunk Contest Winner’s potential lineup for the upcoming All-Star Week, the event will promise to be a huge eye-grabber.

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Hamidou Diallo names Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, and Derrick Jones Jr. as his potential lineup for the 2023 Dunk Contest

Hamidou Diallo was the dunk contest winner back in 2019. The then-OKC highflyer had four interesting dunks that resulted in him getting a grand total score of 186/200.

However, the 6-foot-5 swingman’s most iconic dunk of the night was the elbow dunk over 7-foot Shaquille O’Neal.

Have a look at the dunk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oim-sHtqfg4&ab_channel=HouseofHighlights

Very recently, the Pistons guard was asked to name a potential lineup for the 23 Dunk Contest.

Apart from naming himself and Derrick Jones Jr., 2020 Dunk champ, Hami went on to name two debutants – Ja Morant & Zion Williamson.

Let us know what you think about this “potential” All-Star weekend Slam Dunk Competition lineup 👀

1.Hamidou Diallo
2.Derrick Jones Jr.
3.Ja Morant
4.Zion Williamson

(via @SneakerReporter)pic.twitter.com/sKKJ37stoz

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 1, 2023

Zion Williamson and Ja Morant’s opinions on participating in the Dunk contest

There is no denying it. Both the All-Stars have some of the craziest bounce in the league. Over the past few years, the youngsters have given us some iconic dunks.

But why haven’t the entertaining prodigies already participated in the event?

A year ago, the Grizzlies star jokingly stated that he would want $1 million to participate in the contest. The 2020 ROY then elaborated that in-game dunks took over the excitement of a dunk contest.

“I feel like now you just see so many crazy dunks in-game that when the dunk contest comes, you don’t appreciate the dunk as much.”

Apart from this, the Memphis guard has often made his opinions of the competition’s judging pretty clear via Twitter.

judges are wilding 🤦🏽‍♂️

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) February 16, 2020

For Zion, he was actually a dunk contest winner back in high school. And last year, the NOLA forward event teased the fans when rumors suggested that he would participate in the event.

Let’s say that Diallo’s words actually come into existence. Without a doubt, it’ll be a great and well-competed contest with 50s being seen all over the board.

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