CHICAGO, Ill. (University of Memphis) -- University of Memphis junior forward D.J. Stephens’ dunk in the Tigers’ 72-68 victory over Xavier Feb. 4 is nominated for college basketball’s Dunk of the Year, Intersport announced Monday.
Each week for four weeks, six rim-rattling dunks are nominated for Dunk of the Year. Two winners from each week will be determined by fan voting through the official Facebook page at facebook.com/DunksOfTheYear. The eight finalists will compete in a two-week voting competition to determine the Dunk of the Year. The winner will be announced during the Dunks of the Year special which airs Mar. 26 on ESPN2.
With the Tigers trailing 11-9 to Xavier midway through the first half, Stephens brought the Tigers faithful out of their FedExForum seats when he followed a Joe Jackson missed lay-up with an emphatic one-handed stuff, bringing the ball over the rim from below his waist. The momentum from Stephens’ dunk helped propel Memphis to the win.
Stephens’ slam is competing against five other dunks, including an alley-oop slam from UMass’ Raphaiel Putney, an alley-oop slam by Xavier’s Dez Wells, a poster slam from Syracuse’s Michael Carter-Williams, a facial dunk from St. Joseph’s Ronald Roberts Jr. and an acrobatic finish from Cal State San Bernardino’s Kwame Alexander.
Fans can share votes with their Facebook friends. Week Four voting opened Monday, Feb. 20 and ends Monday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. (CT).
