Rudy Fernandez

Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers will become the first non-US player in the Slam Dunk Contest at the National Basketball Association All-Star Game, the league announced on Monday. The 23-year-old guard was selected through an online vote by more than 500,000 fans at the league's website. Spanish rookie Rudy Fernandez will join defending dunk champion Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson and Memphis forward Rudy Gay.

The four-man Slam Dunk Contest will be held on February 14 at Phoenix, where the All-Star Game will be played the next day. Meanwhile Rudy's team the Portland Trail Blazers will be hosting three teams at Rose Garden Monday starting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Portland, which is a stellar 14-4 at the Rose Garden this season, will next play Cleveland and Washington on its residency.

NBA news

In other NBA news Orlando Magic beat the Denver Nuggets 106-88 on Saturday.
The Dallas Mavericks had a 115-108 victory over Utah Jazz.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the Chicago Bulls 92-87.
The Miami Heat cheerleaders could not inspire their team which went down 93-86 to the Houston Rockets.