Slammin’ Sam to make All-Star appearance

Brisbane Bullets forward Sam Mackinnon has been named to replace Pero Vasiljevic in the Dunk Competition to be held on Tuesday evening at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Mackinnon received the late call up for Tuesday’s gala event after the Razorbacks notified the League office that Vasiljevic would be unable to participate.

Mackinnon, also known as ‘Slammin’ Sam’, is renowned as one of the league’s best athletes and won the All-Star Dunk event in 1996. He will join local Sydney favourite Rolan Roberts (Sydney Kings), Deba George (Cairns Taipans), Cortez Groves (Wollongong Hawks), Larry Abney (Townsville Crocodiles) and Everard Bartlett (New Zealand) in the event.

Mackinnon will back up at the completion of the Philips Dunk competition when he contests the 2005 Virgin Blue Velocity NBL All-Stars Game for the Aussie All-Stars. Mackinnon, who has being averaging 13 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in 23 appearances for the Bullets this season, will come off the bench for the Aussie team.

The Dunk Competition will feature some of the most exciting aerial artists in the Philips Championship and will begin at 6pm tomorrow evening, immediately prior to the NBL All-Star Game.

Tickets for the NBL All-Star Game and the Dunk Competition are still available from Ticketmaster (phone 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au).