It was reported earlier this week that the Pistons’ Jalen Duren would be in the Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 14 during NBA All-Star weekend, but that will not happen.
The NBA announced Saturday that the four contestants would be former Michigan State star Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic), Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers) and Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat).
Duren, however, will participate as an All-Star reserve for the league’s annual midseason showcase. His All-Star selection is the first of his career, joining Cade Cunningham, who was voted in as a starter, and J.B. Bickerstaff, who will be one of the coaches.
Under the new format, Cunningham and Duren will play for Bickerstaff on the USA Stars team.
All-Star Saturday night will showcase the Pistons in a different way. The Shooting Stars will feature Richard Hamilton as part of Team All-Star. Hamilton will play alongside Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren.
Richardson, taken by Orlando with the 25th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has appeared in 36 games for the Magic this season, averaging 12.0 minutes. He is shooting 46.9% on field goals and 35.5% on 62 3-point attempts, and he is also averaging 5.1 points and 1.2 assists.
Duren is averaging 17.7 points on 63.0% field-goal shooting (sixth-best in the NBA) and 10.5 rebounds. He has been bothered by a sore right knee recently and didn’t play in the Pistons’ win over the Knicks on Friday night.
