Arlington Native Pat Connaughton Headed To NBA Slam Dunk Contest

ARLINGTON, MA — Turn on this year's NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and you'll see a familiar face flying above the rim. Arlington native Pat Connaughton will take part in the annual All-Star weekend tradition Feb. 15.

Connaughton, now in his fifth season in the NBA, is the only first-time participant in this year's event. He currently averages 18 minutes per game for the Milwaukee Bucks, who lead the league with a 42-7 record.

The Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard, who won the contest in 2008, is returning this year, along with the Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic and Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat. Connaughton was something of a dark horse for this year's competition, as many fans hoped to see a rematch of the high-flying 2016 contest between Gordon and the Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine.

The Bucks led a social media campaign with the hashtag #LetPatDunk2020 to get the 27-year-old guard into this year's contest. Connaughton, a standout athlete at St. John's Prep in Danvers, played basketball and baseball at Notre Dame. He was drafted into both the NBA and MLB and remains under contract to the Baltimore Orioles through 2020.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest will be held Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. on TNT.