Zach LaVine Wins Dunk Contest Again, Dedicates Win To Flip Saunders

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine won the slam dunk contest for the second year in a row on Saturday night, during the NBA All-Star Weekend. LaVine also took the time to dedicate his victory to the late great Flip Saunders, who drafted and coached him before dying from cancer at the age of 60 last October. Saunders was one of the greatest influences on LaVine’s life.

LaVine posted a message on Instagram, along with a photo of what looked like a Saunders Jersey with his name ‘Flip’ on the back, as well as the infinity symbol for the number:

“I dedicate this dunk contest and the trophy to my late coach, Flip Saunders and the Saunders family. He’s the one that always believed in me and drafted me! We all loved Flip and his memory will live on forever! #loveyacoach #2016dunkchamp”

Saunders’ coaching career spanned four decades. After getting his start at Golden Valley Lutheran College in 1977, he began his NBA career after over a decade coaching in the CBA for the Timberwolves, whom he coached from 1995 to 2005.

Saunders also coached the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards, but eventually returned to Minnesota for the 2014-2015 season. There, he drafted LaVine out of UCLA with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

In LaVine’s second season with the Timberwolves, he has averaged 12.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Caption: NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 14: Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves competes during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at Barclays Center on February 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Article by Pablo Mena