NBA All-Star 2013: Faried to compete in Sprite Slam Dunk competition

There’s going to be a Manimal on the loose in Houston next weekend. After being named to the Rising Stars Challenge, second-year player Kenneth Faried knew he was going to represent the Denver Nuggets during All-Star weekend. Faried has a chance to make a bigger name for himself and the Nuggets as he was announced as one of six participants in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest.

Faried, the lone representative the Nuggets have this year, will be competing in his first Slam Dunk contest.

Faried will be going against Eric Bledsoe of the Los Angeles Clippers, Gerald Green of the Indiana Pacers, James White of the New York Knicks, Terrance Ross of the Toronto Raptors and reigning champion Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz.

The 2013 Sprite Slam Dunk will feature six dunkers competing in a two-round competition as part of State Farm All-Star Saturday Night. The new format will pit the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference in an exciting night of competition that will also raise money for charity.

Faried currently ranks No. 11 in the league with 75 dunks on the season.

January 9, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball during the second half against the Orlando Magic at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Evans won the competition last year which was called a “disaster” and “the worst dunk competition ever.”

With Faried and Bledsoe on board, along with Green, one should expect a better event this time around.

The teams were also announced for the Rising Star Challenge as Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal drafted them live on TNT. Faried was drafted No. 4 overall after Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. Faried will be on “Team Chuck.”

Team Shaq:

1. Damian Lillard

3. Kyrie Irving

5. Andre Drummond

7. Klay Thompson

9. Harrison Barnes

11. Chandler Parsons

13. Dion Waiters

15. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

17. Tyler Zeller

19. Kemba Walker

Team Chuck: