5 NBA players who could win a 35-and-older dunk contest
By John Buhler
If there is one player over the age of 35 that could win a regular NBA slam dunk contest, wouldn’t it have to be Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Richard Jefferson? He’s been in the NBA since 2002-03 with the then New Jersey Nets.
Jefferson showed us with the 2015-16 Cavaliers that he can still play meaningful minutes in huge basketball games. In the days of his youth, Jefferson was a high-flying complementary star for Jason Kidd with the Nets. Jefferson was an Olympian and an All-Star.
One would like to believe that for a few shining moments, Jefferson could channel all that made him great in his mid-20s and win the 35-and-older slam dunk contest at age 36. Jefferson wouldn’t tire and could probably throw down something technical above the rim to shock and awe those in attendance.
He is one of the first NBA players that come to mind over the age of 35 that would be participating in this old man’s dunk contest. One could easily argue that Jefferson would be a serious contender to win, but there is one guy that could beat him on name recognition alone.