Magic rookie Jase Richardson was shocked at Slam Dunk Contest invite

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Jase Richardson was surprised that the NBA invited him to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest, but the Orlando Magic rookie knew he couldn't turn down the opportunity to be a part of such a signature event at All-Star Weekend.

Richardson was among the four participants announced for the competition on Feb. 14 in Inglewood, California. He will be joined by San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson.

The 25th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft is the ninth player in franchise history to suit up in the annual event and the first since Mac McClung, who announced last month that he wouldn't be participating after winning in each of the last three years.

"I think, for me, it kind of came as a shock because I feel like I'm the last person people would expect to be in it, but I always grew up watching it," Richardson said on Saturday. "Obviously, one of the most fun things to do during All-Star and I always used to pretend, so I was like, 'Why not?' I put my name in there, and they said they wanted me to do it, so I was like, 'OK, let's do it.'"

Richardson is the son of former 13-year veteran Jason Richardson, a two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner (2002, 2003). His father was known as a high-flyer early on in his career, making him a perfect candidate to participate in the event.

But Richardson, just 37 games into his first season with the Magic, isn't quite known for his high-flying or dunking ability yet. He hasn't competed in a dunk contest at any level and has thrown down only four dunks this season, the lowest mark of any of the four contestants.

"I don't know if I have the same amount of stuff he had," Richardson said. "But he just told me to go out there and have fun. I think that was the biggest thing. I'm at All-Star break doing something that not a lot of people say they can do."

If Richardson initially didn't seem enthusiastic about showcasing himself in front of a nationally televised audience, it wasn't his intention. Shortly after the NBA announced the contestants, Richardson sent out a rather nonchalant reaction on X, which confused some.

Richardson set the record straight before the Magic defeated the Utah Jazz 120-117, in which he tallied five points and two assists off the bench. He assured those questioning his interest in the event that he is there to bring home the Dr. J Slam Dunk Contest Trophy.

"A lot of people don't think I'm going to try because of what I tweeted, but I'm not going to do something I'm not going to compete in," Richardson said. "I'm always going to try to go win something. Don't know if it is going to happen, but I'm still going to try to complete. But I feel like I've got some stuff."

Richardson pointed to the all-time classic in 2016 between Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine as his favorite Slam Dunk Contest. He also loved what McClung brought to the competition in recent memory, with his creativity and leaping ability.

The 20-year-old is hopeful to deliver an instant class this year, with his former AAU teammate among the competition in Bryant. The two recently discussed it when the Magic visited the Spurs on Sunday, creating additional intrigue for the first-year players.

"That is like one of my best friends," Richardson said. "I don't know what he has got in store. I'm still trying to remember from high school what he used to do, but he has probably changed a lot since then. It'll definitely be fun to compete against him."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Magic news: Jase Richardson was shocked at Slam Dunk Contest invite