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Rookie foreigner to vie in NBA Slam Dunk
Written by staff   
Wednesday, 21 January 2009 05:49

Spanish rookie Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers will become the first non-US player in the Slam Dunk Contest at the National Basketball Association All-Star Game, the league announced on Monday.

The 23-year-old guard was selected through an online vote by more than 500,000 fans at the league's website, putting Fernandez into the four-man event on February 14 at Phoenix, where the All-Star Game will be played the next day.

Fernandez will join defending dunk champion Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson and Memphis forward Rudy Gay. Robinson won the 2006 competition and Gay competed in last year's event.

This was the first time NBA fans had a chance to select a participant. Others in the event had been named by the league.

Fernandez received 251,868 votes with Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook next at 147,279 and Milwaukee's Joe Alexander third on 114,963 in a competition between NBA newcomers.

Fans will have the final say in the winner of the event by casting votes by text message or at the NBA website.
 
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