Two former UConn national champions are about to take flight on one of basketball’s biggest nights. Stephon “King of the” Castle, of the San Antonio Spurs, and Andre “Ajax” Jackson Jr., of the Milwaukee Bucks, will showcase their aerial artistry in the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday, February 15, with the festivities kicking off at 8 PM. They join a select group, becoming just the fourth and fifth former Huskies to ever participate in the event.
UConn alums haven’t fared well in dunk contest history – but they’ve certainly been a part of its lore. In 1997, Ray Allen finished fifth out of six in a competition won by an 18-year-old Kobe Bryant, the youngest dunk contest champion ever crowned. In 2008, Rudy Gay placed last in a contest that saw Dwight Howard don a Superman cape and soar to victory. And in 2016, Andre Drummond finished third behind Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine in what is widely considered one of the greatest dunk contests of all time.
Can Castle or Jackson Jr. rewrite UConn’s dunk contest legacy? If they want to etch their names into All-Star weekend history, they might want to take notes from one of the greatest dunkers of all time – Vince Carter, who recently shared his advice for Castle on NBA on TNT.
Could this be the year UConn finally claims a dunk contest crown? Let’s break it down.
The Competition
The 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest features four competitors, with reigning back-to-back champion Mac McClung (Orlando Magic) looking to three-peat, though his NBA minutes have been scarce this season (more on that below). McClung is the ultimate dunk contest specialist, combining a compact frame with ridiculous bounce, making his dunks look even more explosive.
Also in the mix is Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls and Lithuania. A 6’10” forward with solid athleticism, Buzelis faces an uphill battle as taller dunkers often struggle to stand out in a contest that values hang-time and creativity over sheer height.
Latest Odds (as of 2/12 via Bet MGM):
- Mac McClung (-210)
- Andre Jackson Jr. (+500)
- Matas Buzelis (+700)
- Stephon Castle (+800)
McClung has had plenty of time to prepare- he’s logged just five total minutes for the Magic this season. A third straight win wouldn’t be shocking. But to be honest, the only three-peat that matters this year is UConn’s chase for another banner.
I’ll admit, I haven’t seen much (or any) of Matas Buzelis, but let’s be real – at 6’10”, it’s just harder to make dunks look impressive. That leaves Jackson and Castle as the real threats to McClung’s throne. Let’s break down their chances.
Castle v. Jackson: A Comparison
NBA Draft Combine Measurements
First, let’s take a look at official measurements for both players from their respective NBA draft combines.
| Statistic | Stephon Castle | Andre Jackson Jr |
| Height (w/o shoes) | 6′ 5.50” | 6′ 5.50” |
| Weight | 210.0 | 198.4 |
| Hand Length (inches) | 8.75 | 8.25 |
| Standing Reach | 8′ 6.00” | 8′ 7.00” |
| Wingspan | 6′ 9.00” | 6′ 9.75” |
| Standing Vert (inches) | 28.5 | 30.5 |
| Max Vert (inches) | 37.0 | 39.5 |
Key Takeaways
- Nearly Identical Frame: Both players stand at 6’5.5” with similar wingspans, but Jackson Jr. holds slight advantages in wingspan (+0.75”) and standing reach (+1”), giving him more natural extension on dunks, making for potentially more dynamic finishes.
- Leaping Ability: Jackson Jr. also edges out Castle in vertical leap, both in standing (30.5” vs. 28.5”) and max jump (39.5” vs. 37.0”), meaning he can generate more hang-time and creativity midair.
- Castle’s Power Game: Castle compensates with a stronger frame (210 lbs vs. 198.4 lbs) and an explosive style that favors forceful, rim-rattling dunks—think violent two-hand slams over finesse.
Advantage: Andre Jackson Jr.
NBA Dunk Score: Breaking Down the Numbers
Next, let’s examine the inaugural NBA Dunk Score for both players. The NBA Dunk Score, launched in 2024-25 (Beta version), brings data-driven metrics to dunk evaluation. Every dunk receives an objective overall score, broken down into four subcategories:
- Jump: Measures verticality and explosiveness in the air.
- Power: Captures the sheer force of the dunk.
- Style: Quantifies flashiness and creativity.
- Defensive Contest: Adds context based on defensive pressure.
- Excluded from this analysis but included in the Additional Information section below.
The graph below illustrates the average and maximum dunk scores for Castle (34 dunks) and Jackson Jr. (17 dunks) during the 2024-25 regular season through February 11. Click on the legend to isolate one or more traces.
Key Takeaways: Stephon Castle
- Peak Performance: Castle’s maximum Overall Score (96.6 vs. 82.9) far surpasses Jackson Jr.’s, suggesting that at his absolute best, he delivers more jaw-dropping dunks.
- Jump Factor: Despite Jackson Jr. leading in vertical leap at the combine, Castle edges him out in average (57.99 vs. 57.28) and max (86.4 vs. 84.5) Jump scores, suggesting he elevates better in-game.
- Power Surge: Castle’s average Power score (37.36) lags behind Jackson Jr.’s (47.75), but his max Power score (99.1 vs. 95.9) suggests that when fully loaded up, Castle can match or surpass Jackson Jr.’s explosiveness.
Key Takeaways: Andre Jackson Jr.
- Style Points: Jackson Jr. leads Castle in both average (52.44 vs. 47.31) and max (93.4 vs. 91.0) Style scores, suggesting that his dunks are consistently more aesthetically pleasing.
- Power Advantage: Despite having a lighter frame, Jackson Jr. holds a significant lead in average Power score (47.75 vs. 37.36) – suggesting that his dunks generate more force on a regular basis.
- Contest-Ready: With superior numbers in overall dunk score, power, and style, Jackson Jr. fits the classic dunk contest profile – a blend of power, flair, and consistency.
Jackson Jr. is smooth. Smooth is great in basketball. But this isn’t basketball, this is a dunk contest. In a dunk contest you don’t want to be smooth – you want to be powerful, you want to be mean, and you want to be aggressive.
Advantage: Stephon Castle
Prediction
While Castle’s ability to deliver a highlight-reel dunk could be a wildcard, Jackson Jr.’s consistency and style earn him the edge over multiple rounds. Either way, it’s a win for UConn fans. But if I had to bet (which I don’t, but still will), my money’s on Jackson Jr.
Final Pick: Andre Jackson Jr.
That said, my dream scenario? Castle and Jackson Jr. throwing down while sporting UConn jerseys (ideally throwbacks) or even attempting a dunk over Donovan Clingan. Better yet – imagine either player pulling off a dunk over Clingan while rocking a UConn throwback… Now that would be must-see TV for any UConn fan.
As always, go Huskies!
Additional Information
Below is a detailed statistical breakdown comparing Stephon Castle and Andre Jackson Jr. in both maximum and average dunk performance throughout the 2024-25 regular season (as of February 11).
Max Score Comparison
Each max score hyperlinks to a video showcasing that specific dunk.
| Stat | Castle | Jackson Jr. |
| Overall | 96.6 | 82.9 |
| Jump | 86.4 | 84.5 |
| Power | 99.1 | 95.9 |
| Style | 91.0 | 93.4 |
| Defense | 79.4 | 32.0 |
| Player Vert (inches) | 39.7 | 33.5 |
| Player Hang (seconds) | .583 | .483 |
| Player Distance (feet) | 6.5 | 7.4 |
| Ball Height (feet) | 11.2 | 11.0 |
| Ball Speed (mph) | 30.7 | 33.8 |
| Ball Reach Back (feet) | 2.4 | 1.6 |
Average Score Comparison
| Stat | Castle | Jackson Jr. |
| Overall | 49.23 | 51.77 |
| Jump | 57.99 | 57.28 |
| Power | 37.36 | 47.75 |
| Style | 47.31 | 52.44 |
| Defense | 8.89 | 5.66 |
| Player Vert (inches) | 31.38 | 28.75 |
| Player Hang (seconds) | 0.42 | 0.40 |
| Player Distance (feet) | 3.98 | 4.69 |
| Ball Height (feet) | 10.59 | 10.64 |
| Ball Speed (mph) | 16.74 | 21.19 |
| Ball Reach Back (feet) | .45 | 0.54 |
