Albuquerque Journal

Giddens to Display His Dunking Talents
By Mark Smith, Journal Staff Writer

University of New Mexico senior J.R. Giddens was recognized twice nationally Monday, being named honorable mention All-America by The Associated Press and getting invited to participate in Thursday's State Farm College Slam Dunk Contest.
   
The latter is held in San Antonio, Texas in conjunction with the Final Four. It could give Giddens' NBA Draft stock a boost.
   
"I don't look at is as helping my exposure," Giddens said. "It's a chance to represent New Mexico and my teammates. I'm going to go out and give my best effort."
   
Giddens, who won a national slam dunk contest in high school, says he hopes to have a couple of new slams ready by Thursday's eight-player event, but says "it will be tough. I've got a lot of school work in the next couple of days. I've been running around all day in order to take time and go there.
   
"Hopefully I'll get some practice in, but I've been taking a lot of time off from basketball since (the National Invitational Tournament loss at) Cal, trying to focus on academics."
   
The other players scheduled to be in the field are Maryland's James Gist, Virginia Tech's Deron Washington, Georgetown's Patrick Ewing Jr., Illinois' Brian Randle, Texas A&M-Corpus Cristi's Will Bullard and Arkansas' Sonny Weems.
   
Memphis' Joey Dorsey was scratched after his team made the Final Four. An alternate had not yet been announced.
   
Giddens said the AP honor was also one to be shared by his teammates, because "without them, there's no way I would be getting this type of recognition."
   
Up Next

   
Thursday: State Farm College Slam Dunk Contest TV: ESPN, 7 p.m. (tape delay)