Get to know this NBA rookie now — you'll be talking about him all weekend

The NBA Slam Dunk contest is a rare beast that regularly makes the leap from sports spectacle to full-on topic of pop-culture watercooler exaltation. 

Back-to-back winner Zach LaVine (remember his Space Jam dunk two years ago?) is out this year with injury, leaving his high-flying rival Aaron Gordon and serial posterizer DeAndre Jordan to headline Saturday's field. 

But the name you really need to know is one you might never have heard before. 

SEE ALSO: How Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine dunked their way into the 'NBA 2K17' video game

When this year's dunk contest field was announced, hardcore hoop-heads immediately zeroed in on neither Gordon nor Jordan, but Derrick Jones Jr.  Read more...

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