Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown Comes to Cleveland

Inspired by ifthisguycandunk.com, I've made it a goal to dunk a basketball by the time I turn 30. Of course, I still have another six inches to go to get rim, and the deadline is less than 15 months away. But if I do reach my goal, perhaps I can participate in a future version of this:

SPRITE AND THE NBA SEEKING THE BEST AMATEUR DUNKER IN CLEVELAND

Winner to receive $1,000 and a chance to compete for the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown title during NBA All-Star Weekend 2011

WHAT: Sprite and the NBA are touring the country in search of the best amateur dunker with a creative spark, and Cleveland is the next stop in their quest. If last year’s competition is any indication, area dunkers will showcase some extremely impressive skills, including Tomahawks, Windmills, Alley Oops... and maybe even something no one has seen before.

The competition is open to all local dunkers ages 18 and up, and will be judged by a panel that includes NBA legend Darryl Dawkins and dunker Carlos "Los" Smothers, the runner–up in the 2010 Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown.

The first-place winner will receive $1,000 and a chance to compete for $10,000 and the title at the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown held NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles Feb. 18-20, 2011 and judged by LeBron James.

WHEN/WHERE:
Saturday, May 29
Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City During Marc’s Great Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival
Event begins at 4 p.m.
351 Canal Road
Cleveland, OH 44113
**The event is free and open to the public.

VISUALS/INTERVIEW OPPS:

• Cleveland’s best amateur dunkers displaying their impressive aerial skills


• Interviews with Dawkins and Smothers about the competition and the search for the best amateur dunker


• Reactions from local dunkers and fans in attendance

ADDITIONAL INFO: Cleveland is the fourth stop in the eight–city Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown tour. In addition to the national tour, contestants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico can submit videos of their best dunks to enter the competition. Videos featuring dunks from 10 semi-finalists (eight tour stop winners and two winning online entrants) will be featured at www.nba.com/dunk. Voters will then select the four finalists who will compete at the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown competition, which will be held during NBA All-Star 2011 in Los Angeles. LeBron James will help select the online winners and serve as a judge in the final competition.