Renton native Zach LaVine picked up where he left off at this time last year, repeating as NBA All-Star Slam Dunk champ on Saturday night in Toronto.
LaVine, who graduated from nearby Bothell High School and played one year at UCLA before being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with pick No. 13 in the 2014 draft, beat out Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon in an electrifying final round that saw the duo duel for eight total dunks.
"We should share the trophy, because [Gordon] did some stuff I've never seen before," LaVine said after his through-the-legs dunk from just inside the free-throw line helped him take home the title.
On top of his Pacific Northwest roots, the 20-year-old LaVine also shares a close tie to the Seattle Seahawks.
Zach's father, Paul, played three games at linebacker as a "replacement player" for the Seahawks during the 1987 NFL strike. Paul landed in Seattle after spending time with the Portland Breakers in the United States Football League, which dissolved in 1985. Paul finished his short Seahawks campaign with seven tackles, including six in his only start - a 17-10 setback to the Cincinnati Bengals at the Kingdome.
LaVine's repeat performance as dunk champ extends Washington's dominance in the annual all-star competition, with six of the last 11 champions holding a connection to The Evergreen State.
Terrence Ross, who won the contest in 2013, played two years at the University of Washington, which is also where three-time dunk champ (2006, 2009, 2010) and massive Seahawks fan Nate Robinson played after a standout high school career at Seattle's Rainier Beach. LaVine becomes the first back-to-back winner since Robinson in 2009-10.
Here's a look at a few of LaVine and Gordon's highlight-reel slams:
