Los Angeles Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes was one of the four participants in this year’s NBA slam dunk contest, which took place on Saturday during All-Star weekend. Hayes had a disappointing showing, as he was eliminated and didn’t advance to the final round.
Only one Lakers player has ever won the dunk contest — that was the late great Kobe Bryant, who did so in 1997 as an 18-year-old rookie. When asked if he may compete in future dunk contests during All-Star weekend, Hayes said he probably won’t, although he didn’t completely rule it out.
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Via ClutchPoints:
“This is my seventh year in the NBA, I’m gonna be in my eighth year next year. You see these young guys got way more legs. I went up for my first dunk, I felt it right in my knees,” Hayes said. “I don’t think so. It was fun to do and to say I did it, but I don’t know. I’m not gonna fully shut out the dunk contest, but most likely no. I’d rather much be in Hawaii right now.”
The 25-year-old can now fully focus on helping the Lakers make a late-season surge and go on a deep playoff run this spring. He’s averaging 6.9 points 77.2% field-goal shooting, 3.9 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 17.7 minutes a game this season, and given starting center’s Deandre Ayton’s inconsistency, Hayes will be counted on to provide quality minutes the rest of the way.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Jaxson Hayes on whether he will be in future NBA slam dunk contests