Miami Heat’s Jaime Jquez Jr. says he would love to dunk over Giannis Antetokounmpo

NBA All-Star Weekend is underway in Indianapolis, where the biggest names in the Association will gather in advance of the 73rd All-Star Game, taking place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday night. But there are plenty of events and showcases before the game itself, such as Friday night’s Rising Stars Challenge, as well as the Three Point Contest and the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday.

Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. has impressed audiences enough to receive an invite to All-Star Weekend, where he will take part in multiple events. As he faced the media in Indianapolis on Friday, Miami‘s budding star — one of the Slam Dunk Contest participants — surprised many with his response to a question about which former NBA Defensive Player of the Year he would like to put on a poster.

Why does Jaquez Jr. want to dunk over Giannis?

Jaquez Jr. mulled over his answer carefully before stating that he wanted to dunk on Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP and one-time NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks. Jaquez Jr. did not elaborate on exactly why he chose Antetokounmpo, but his answer speaks to the growing rivalry between the Bucks and the Heat — which was enhanced in the playoffs last season, when eighth-seeded Miami eliminated top-seeded Milwaukee in the first round.

In three games against the Bucks this season, Jaquez Jr. has averaged 11.3 points in just under 28 minutes per contest, along with four assists and three rebounds per night. This is roughly line with the former UCLA Bruin‘s nightly stats throughout his first year in the NBA. He has twice won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors — a product of his well-rounded game — and already looks like great value for an 18th overall selection.

A busy All-Star Weekend for “Juan Wick”

Respect is growing around the NBA for Jaquez Jr. — evidenced by the events he’ll be taking part in during All-Star Weekend. The man affectionately known as “Juan Wick” will play in the Rising Stars event on Friday night, and the 22-year-old is one of four Slam Dunk Contest participants on Saturday night.

Jaquez Jr. is one of two rookies looking to win the Slam Dunk Contest, alongside New York Knicks forward Jacob Toppin. It should be an event to remember for the two first-year players — and Jaquez Jr. sounds like he has a couple surprises in store for viewers.

“I’m not going to give away any secrets right now,” he told the media on Friday. “But you guys all tune in and make sure you watch.”