Ibaka In Slam Dunk Contest?

According to a report by Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the NBA has selected Thunder forward Serge Ibaka to participate in this year’s slam dunk contest at All-Star Weekend in L.A.

Ibaka, the report says, will be joined by former OU star and current Clippers forward Blake Griffin, Washington center JaVale McGee and Milwaukee guard Brandon Jennings.

Ibaka told The Oklahoman last February that he wanted to participate in this year’s contest after watching last year’s event live in Dallas.

“I feel like I can compete with them,” Ibaka said of the dunkers.

Ibaka won a dunk contest in Spain three years ago and boasts of being able to dunk from the free throw line. Ibaka has had several highlight-worthy dunks over his first 1 1/2 NBA seasons, spawning an “Air Congo” nickname for his aerial attack.

Griffin, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, also lobbied to participate in this year’s event. The expected runaway Rookie of the Year winner also has appeared on nightly highlights in part because of monstrous dunks.