Rockets K.J. Martin Ready For 'Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity At Dunk Contest

Houston Rockets' K.J. Martin says he has at least one dunk in his repertoire that has never been done before ahead of the 2023 NBA All-Star Dunk Contest.

Houston Rockets forward K.J. Martin is one of four participants taking part in the NBA’s annual dunk contest on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Ahead of his appearance, Martin feels every potential dunk has been done. But believes he has at least one in his repertoire never seen.

Martin says he is excited to be a part of the event. It's an event he has enjoyed since watching J.R. Smith participate in the 2009 dunk contest, who was teammates with his father, Kenyon Martin Sr., at the time with the Denver Nuggets.

Martin says he has not revealed to his father the dunks he has in store. But according to The Athletic, the second-generational forward says he has taken his dad's advice on how to use All-Star Weekend as a fun but learning experience.

Martin Sr. was an NBA All-Star as a member of the New Jersey Nets during the 2003-04 season.

"He told me to go out there and have fun because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Martin said. "You are surrounded by the best players in the world. He said the most he took from his All-Star experience was to go out and have fun."

Martin will be the sixth player in Rockets' history to participate in an NBA dunk contest. He joins Ralph Sampson (1984), Kenny Smith (1993), Steve Francis (2000, 2002), Chase Budinger (2012) and Jalen Green (2022).

Francis, who won Rookie of the Year honors, was runner-up to Vince Carter in 2000. Budinger finished second to Jeremy Evans in 2012.

He is averaging a career-best 11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists this season with the Rockets.

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