Photo credit: NBA.com

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings will have a representative at the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. Rookie guard Ben McLemore has been selected to participate in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest. The last Kings’ player to take part in the Slam Dunk contest was Gerald Wallace in 2002.

 McLemore will join Toronto guard and defending champion Terrence Ross, Indiana forward Paul George, Portland guard Damian Lillard, Washington guard John Wall and Golden State forward Harrison Barnes in the contest. The high profile event will give McLemore exposure to a national audience of NBA fans.

 McLemore, a 6-5 guard out of Kansas, has averaged 7.7 points in 23.5 minutes per game for the Kings. The rookie shooting guard has had moments of brillance and has had his struggles as you would expect from a first year player in “the Association”. McLemore has been very impressive when he drives the lane and attacks the basket.

 The Slam Dunk contest will be a part of the All-Star Saturday Night. The event will be televised nationally on the TNT.