Jase Richardson Prepares for AT&T Dunk Contest
INGLEWOOD, California — Jase Richardson, a young guard with aspirations of making his mark in the NBA, shares a common trait with many 20-year-olds: he can’t help but roll his eyes when his dad tries to offer him guidance. However, the situation takes on a unique twist this week as Jase prepares to showcase his skills during the AT&T Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night—an event famously won by his father, Jason Richardson, no less than twice.
Father-Son Dynamics
In a light-hearted exchange with NBC Sports, Jason remarked on how for the first time, his son seems genuinely engaged in his advice regarding basketball.
“It’s nice to see him come to me with questions and to formulate a game plan ahead of the event,”
Jason said with a chuckle. Jase echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the significance of hearing from someone who has firsthand experience with success in the dunk contest.
“With my dad having won twice, it’s vital that I listen to his insights. I need to absorb all the knowledge I can right now,”
he commented.
Mental Preparation Over Techniques
When pressed on the specifics of his father’s guidance, Jase mentioned that much of it revolves around mental preparation rather than new dunk techniques, indicating that few fresh ideas have emerged since his father’s time in the contest.
“It’s more about my mindset and letting go of any pressure. Those are the focal points he’s emphasized for me,”
he said.
Jason’s Experience
Jason drew from his own experiences, particularly recalling an electrifying moment from his 2003 dunk contest in Atlanta—where adrenaline played a crucial role in executing a complex move he struggled to replicate in practice.
“Going into the competition, I knew that the adrenaline would elevate my game and help me pull off what I couldn’t do in practice,”
he added, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of his dunking journey.
Spotlight on AT&T
This father-son duo recently caught the eye of AT&T, which is commemorating 150 years of the telephone with a special connection event, subsequently putting Jase and Jason in the spotlight as sponsors. Jase took a moment to appreciate the special AT&T basketball he will be using during the competition, calling it a unique memento for him.
Unexpected Invitation
Interestingly, Jase received an unexpected invitation to participate in this year’s Dunk Contest, despite having only executed four dunks during games this season. The 6-foot-1 player admitted his shock upon being selected, expressing his excitement for the opportunity to entertain spectators during All-Star Weekend.
“I was definitely surprised to get the call, but I see this as a chance to go out and have a blast,”
Jase admitted.
Impressing the Audience
Jason was quick to remind his son of the importance of impressing the audience from the very first dunk.
“You need to capture their attention right away and aim to make each dunk on your first attempt—it’s all about winning the crowd over,”
he advised. While Jase might not be widely recognized as a spectacular dunker during his time at Michigan State, he has drawn inspiration from past Dunk Contests, reminiscing about iconic performances from stars like Zach LaVine and Vince Carter.
Gathering Advice
Jase has been avidly collecting advice from not only Jason but also a variety of sources including teammates, coaches, and former Dunk Contest participants, infusing a wealth of creative energy into his preparation. As for whether Jason will partake in one of Jase’s dunks at the contest, the two remain tight-lipped, yet it is assured that Jason’s encouragement will prepare Jase for whatever lies ahead on Saturday night.
