2022 NBA Slam dunk contest participants & betting odds

With the NBA All Star Weekend fast approaching, we turn our attention to the 2022 NBA slam dunk contest. The weekend’s spectacle will feature four young guns looking to claim their first NBA slam dunk title.

The latest NBA All-Star betting odds place Rockets rookie Jalen Green as the heavy favorite to take home the title. Preview all four participants and what they can bring to the 2022 dunk contest.

2022 NBA Slam Dunk Participants

This year’s iteration of the slam dunk contest will feature four contestants. New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin will attempt to take home the title after losing in the finals last year.

Three players will make their dunk contest debuts with exciting Houston Rockets rookie Jalen Green expected to put on a good show. Also participating for the first time will be Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson and Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony.

2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Odds

Crypto sportsbook Cloudbet have released their slam dunk contest odds with Jalen Green the heavy favorite to win. Obi Toppin comes in second despite being the only player with NBA dunk contest experience.

Player	Odds
Jalen Green (Houston Rockets)	+150
Obi Toppin (New York Knicks)	+250
Juan Toscano-Anderson (Golden State Warriors)	+350
Cole Anthony (Orlando Magic)	+450

Ranking the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Participants

4. Cole Anthony (+450)

The 6-foot-3 sophomore may be the shortest in the contest but he’s got a great vertical leap and can put up some explosive dunks. Several Orlando Magic players have participated over the years including Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Dwight Howard and Nick Anderson. Dwight Howard has been the only player in an Orlando Magic jersey to win the contest.

Grainy high school videos of Anthony dominating contests have surfaced after he was confirmed as a participant in this year’s contest. If they’re any indication of how he’ll perform he could very well be the competition’s dark horse.

Cole Anthony competing in the Dunk Contest?!?

Here's every JAM of Cole's NBA career to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/32V04I058V

— Beyond the RK (@beyondtheRK) January 29, 2022

3. Juan Toscano-Anderson (+350)

Toscano-Anderson will attempt to be the first Warriors player since Jason Richardson (2002,2003) to win the dunk contest. The East Oakland native is known for throwing down powerful in-game dunks thanks to his huge wingspan and giant vertical leap.

The former G League player is not even the most prolific dunker on his team – Gary Payton II has double the dunks of Toscano-Anderson this season but he does boast experience. Toscano-Anderson won the 2017 dunk contest in Mexico after jumping over five people so expect him to have a few tricks up his sleeve.

JUAN TOSCANO-ANDERSON ON JAVALE MCGEE 😱 pic.twitter.com/IrQr2qLJKx

— ESPN (@espn) December 4, 2021

2. Obi Toppin (+250)

Hoppin Toppin came second to Anfernee Simons in last year’s subdued contest with scores of 48 and 46. He’ll be looking to do one better this time round. Toppin has the pedigree to back him up – his father Obadiah “Dunkers Delight” Toppin was a New York streetball legend who participated in the AND1 streetball tour and appeared in ads with dunk legend Vince Carter.

Toppin could be the lone player representing the Knicks at All-Star Weekend after himself, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes failed to make the cut for the Rising Stars competition. Expect Toppin to go all out on All-Star Saturday as the single bright star for the Knicks.

Obi Toppin will compete in his 2nd Slam Dunk Contest during #NBAAIIStar Weekend #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/vEpTxSoNYO

— The Sports Throne (@SportsThroneHub) February 1, 2022

1. Jalen Green (+150)

The Rockets rookie will become Houston’s first participant in the dunk contest since 2012. Several Rockets players including Steve Francis and Kenny Smith have competed over the years but Green would be the first to take home the title.

He may be lagging behind his cohort in the Rookie of the Year race but one area Jalen Green isn’t lacking in is dunks on his highlight reel. The Filipino-American has showcased his hops on several occasions, attacking the rim with flair and aggression. This effortless practice dunk from his year in the G League shows why Jalen Green is the hot favorite to take out the competition.

Sneak peek of Jalen Green in the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. 👀 pic.twitter.com/CI3jD2PxQL

— Taylor Pate (@taylorlpate) February 1, 2022

ESPN’s NBA Today Crew Share Their Picks

The pros had their say on ESPN with all three picking Jalen Green and Obi Toppin as their top two picks to win the contest.

Richard Jefferson: “Green is my number one, I think he’s going to win. Toppin is my second.”

Kendrick Perkins: “I think he’s (Obi Toppin) going to show up and show out. Next I’m going with Jalen Green.”

Chiney Ogwumike: “Jalen Green – this is going to be a moment for the future of the franchise.”

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