Former Topper Evans wins NBA slam dunk contest

Chris Chamberlain

It was all about Jeremy Evans in this year’s NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

The former Topper standout and current Utah Jazz forward won the Dunk Contest on Saturday at Amway Arena in Orlando, Fla., receiving 29 percent of the 3 million total votes cast.

Evans, who got into the event as a replacement for injured Knicks guard Imam Shumpert, beat Rockets forward Chase Budinger, Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams and Pacers forward Paul George. 

Evans raised eyebrows in the first of three rounds by wearing an “eye cam” to let his fans “see what it looks like” on a dunk.

He soared through the air, dunked the ball on the first try, and then hung on the rim to allow the viewers to get his perspective, post-dunk.

For the second round, Evans threw down two basketballs in the hoop while jumping over a man in a chair.

He completed this dunk with only one failed attempt, and became the first person to ever dunk two basketballs on one dunk in contest history.

For his third dunk Evans brought out comedian Kevin Hart, who before the attempt acted as a postman and delivered Evans a Karl Malone jersey. After putting on the Malone jersey, Evans put Hart under the goal and dunked over the 5-foot-2 comedian.

America voted for the winner of the contest by casting in tweets and texts to a given number.

While being presented with the trophy, a big smile came across Evans’ face.

“It’s just amazing to come out here and give the fans what they want,” he said.

Evans is WKU’s career record-holder in field goal percentage (.693) and blocked shots (224).