Report: Zion Mulling Dunk Contest, LaMelo Ball Turns Down Skills Challenge


Zion has yet to decide if he wants to compete in the dunk contest while Jaylen Brown and Miles Bridges say no.

Hornets high-flyer Miles Bridges, Celtics star Jaylen Brown and Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards have all declined invites to participate in Sunday's Dunk Contest during the All-Star pregame, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes

On Sunday, it was reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons and Pacers guard Cassius Stanley had accepted dunk contest invites. Meanwhile, Knicks Rookie Obi Toppin had already accepted an invitation. 

This leaves one spot left open for the dunk contest after multiple young stars have said no — but there's still hope. Zion Williamson, the Pelicans forward who is appearing in his first All-Star Game, has yet to make a decision if he will accept the invitation to the dunk contest or not. 

In an interview with ESPN's First Take, Williamson was hesitant to give a definitive answer.

The other All-Star events are also getting their fair share of rejections. Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball was offered a spot in the Skills Challenge but declined the offer, according to Yahoo Sports. Ball leads all rookies in points (15.7), assists (6.4) and rebounds (6.0) per game. 

Stephen Curry has reportedly agreed to participate in the three-point contest. Curry won the contest back in 2015 and has made the second-most three-pointers of all-time at 2,659. Only Ray Allen's mark of 2,973 remains in front of him.

The All-Star competitions are slated to take place directly before the March 7 All-Star Game at 8 p.m. EST.