2011 NBA D-LEAGUE SHOWCASE SLAM DUNK AND THREE-POINT CONTEST PARTICIPANTS ANNOUNCED

- 2010 NBA D-League All-Star Slam Dunk Champion Tucker Among Slam Dunk Contestants–

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS, Jan. 11, 2011 – Marqus Blakely (Bakersfield Jam), Chris Johnson (Dakota Wizards), Dar Tucker (New Mexico Thunderbirds) and L.D. Williams (Springfield Armor) have been announced as the participants in the 2011 NBA Development League Showcase Slam Dunk Contest, which will be held together with the NBA D-League Showcase Three-Point Contest at 9:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the South Padre Island Convention Centre.

The eight players competing in the Three-Point Contest will be Corey Allmond (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Andre Ingram (Utah Flash), Marcus Landry (Reno Bighorns), Chris Lofton (Iowa Energy), Scottie Reynolds (Springfield Jam), Jamar Smith (Maine Red Claws), Robert Vaden (Tulsa 66ers) and Booker Woodfox (Texas Legends)

The Slam Dunk Contest will be a two-round competition. The four players may complete two dunks in each round, with five judges each awarding between five and 10 points for every made dunk. The two dunkers with the highest composite score after the first round advance to the final round. The player with the highest composite score after the final round wins.

The Three-Point Contest will be a three-round competition, featuring several innovations, including a moveable ‘Money Rack’ consisting of all ‘Money’ balls and increased points awarded for shots made from deeper shooting spots. From the field of eight contestants participating in Round 1, the four players with the highest scores will move on to Round 2.  The two players with the highest scores in Round 2 will then compete in Round 3. The player with the highest score in Round 3 is the champion.

Each competition will air on VERSUS on Jan. 15 and Jan. 29.

While the Slam Dunk and Three-Point Contests are new additions to the NBA D-League Showcase, Tucker is competing as the league’s reigning Slam Dunk champion after winning the Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2010 NBA D-League All-Star festivities.