New York, NY (Sports Network) - Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans will attempt to repeat as NBA Slam Dunk champion during All-Star weekend, to be held Feb. 16 at Toyota Center in Houston.
Joining the 2012 champ in the dunk competition will be Eric Bledsoe of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets, Gerald Green of the Indiana Pacers, Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors and James White of the New York Knicks.
The format for Saturday's showcase event has changed from year's past, as the three participants from the Western Conference will square off against the three from the Eastern Conference. The top player from each conference will then battle for the individual crown, while the conferences will accumulate points throughout the four All-Star Skills Competitions for an overall title.
The 3-point contest will feature Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Steve Novak of the New York Knicks, Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Hornets, Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
Last year's champion, Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, is on the injured list.
Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs will defend his title as Skills Challenge champ against Jrue Holiday of the Philadelphia 76ers, Brandon Knight of the Detroit Pistons, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets, and Jeff Teague of the Atlanta Hawks.
The Shooting Stars competition features two teams from the East and West. Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, Brook Lopez of the Brooklyn Nets, Swin Cash of the WNBA's Chicago Sky and Tamika Catchings of the WNBA's Indiana Fever will join legends Muggsy Bogues and Dominique Wilkins for the East. For the West, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Maya Moore of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx and Tina Thompson of the WNBA's Seattle Storm will join Rockets legends Sam Cassell and Robert Horry.
