Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes headlines a group of four first-time participants confirmed for next week’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest, part of the All-Star festivities set to take place in Los Angeles.

Hayes will be joined in the February 14 event by San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson and Orlando Magic rookie guard Jase Richardson — the son of two-time dunk contest champion Jason Richardson. The contest will be held at the home of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The competition will follow a two-round format, with judges scoring each dunk. The combined scores from two dunks will determine which two competitors advance to the final round, where another pair of dunks will decide the eventual champion.

Standing at 7 feet (2.13 metres), Hayes is competing in his seventh NBA season and his third with the Lakers. Earlier this month, he served a one-game suspension after an altercation involving a Washington Wizards mascot.

Meanwhile, three-time defending Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung will not attempt to extend his historic run. The Chicago Bulls guard has instead been selected to compete in the NBA Rising Stars game next Friday, replacing San Antonio’s David Jones Garcia, who is sidelined with a right ankle injury.

The NBA also confirmed the return of the Shooting Stars team skills competition to All-Star Weekend, marking its first appearance since 2015. The revamped format will feature teams made up of two current NBA players and one retired legend, rather than the previous mix that included WNBA stars.

Four trios will take part this year. Team Knicks pairs New York standouts Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns with former franchise favourite Allan Houston. Team All-Star includes Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Oklahoma City Thunder center and reigning champion Chet Holmgren, alongside retired three-time All-Star Richard Hamilton.

Team Harper brings together five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr. with his sons Ron Harper Jr. of the Boston Celtics and Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs. The final group features Atlanta All-Star Jalen Johnson, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel and former NBA forward Corey Maggette, who enjoyed a 14-year career in the league.