National Basketball Association

High-flying rookie Zach LaVine wins dunk contest with ease

Published Feb. 14, 2015 11:20 p.m. ET

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Minnesota's Zach LaVine put on a spectacular aerial display to take home the slam dunk competition during All-Star Saturday night.

LaVine made a name for himself in a dunk contest that lacked star punch. He left a lasting impression few will forget, as the 19-year-old Timberwolves rookie scored a perfect 100 in the opening round. He highlighted his scintillating start with a through-the-legs, one-handed reverse slam. He wore a white No. 23 Jordan jersey for what he dubbed the "Space Jam" dunk.

LaVine earned his second perfect score on this ridiculous dunk, as he tossed the ball up, put it behind his back in the air and threw down a powerful one-handed slam for another 50.

LaVine had a final round of 94 to overtake Orlando's Victor Oladipo, who struggled to convert his first attempt in the final and finished with a 72 in the championship round. LaVine became the first Timberwolves player to win the dunk contest since Isaiah Rider in 1994.

"I'm still on cloud nine. I feel like I'm dreaming," LaVine said. "Seeing all the dunk contests and people hoisting the trophy, I just saw myself do it and lived it. So it's a dream come true. I'm glad my family is here to witness it and go through it."

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, aka The Greek Freak, and Brooklyn's Mason Plumlee didn't advance past the opening round.

Oladipo, the smallest in the competition at 6 feet 4, still delivered a crowd-pleasing moment.

He missed his first two attempts in the first round before completing a 360-degree reverse dunk. He received a 50 from the Hall of Fame judges: Julius Erving, Walt Frazier, Nate Archibald, Bernard King and Chris Mullin.