Anfernee Simons being officially named the All-Star Slam Dunk Champion**, marking a historic moment as he becomes the **youngest player in NBA history to win the award** while representing the **Portland Trail Blazers**.
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**“Flight in the Rose City”: Anfernee Simons Makes NBA History with Slam Dunk Title Win**
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In an arena filled with stars, spotlights, and sky-high expectations, it was **Anfernee Simons**—Portland Trail Blazers guard and rising phenom—who ascended above the rest, quite literally. On a dazzling night in San Francisco during the **2025 NBA All-Star Weekend**, Simons soared to **his first Slam Dunk Contest victory**, officially becoming the **youngest player in NBA history to win the prestigious title**.
It wasn’t just a win—it was a **statement**. A coronation of a high-flying star whose skills have long captivated fans, but whose vertical brilliance had never been showcased on such a stage.
> “I wanted to bring something different,” Simons said, trophy in hand and sweat still gleaming from his forehead. “Not just height or hype—but **creativity, elegance, and control**. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a kid.”
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### A Dunk Champion Is Born
Simons, just **24 years old**, edged out elite competition including former champion **Obi Toppin**, high-flyer **Amen Thompson**, and viral sensation **Mikey Williams**, each bringing their own flare and signature dunks. But it was Simons’ **flawless execution**, combined with his **airtime and artistry**, that stole the show.
Over three rounds, Simons unleashed a mix of originality and physics-defying leaps:
#### Round 1: “Rooftop Catch”
Simons began the night by tossing the ball off a 12-foot-tall screen—well above standard regulation—then leaping skyward to catch it mid-air and finish with a **360 reverse windmill**. Judges gave him a near-perfect 49, with **Dominique Wilkins** noting:
> “That was *poetry* in flight.”
#### Round 2: “Air Simons Tribute”
Paying homage to his childhood hero **Vince Carter**, Simons donned a vintage Raptors jersey and executed a flawless **between-the-legs elbow dunk**, his head nearly grazing the rim. The crowd roared. **50. Across the board.**
#### Final Round: “Portland in the Sky”
For his finale, Simons brought out two kids wearing Trail Blazers jerseys—both from Portland’s Youth Hoops Foundation, a cause close to his heart. Using them as spaced markers, Simons **leapt over both children**, palming the ball mid-leap, switched hands mid-air, and slammed it home with his off-hand.
> “That was Jordan meets Cirque du Soleil,” said TNT’s **Kenny Smith**.
With the final perfect score, Simons claimed the **2025 Slam Dunk Title**, igniting chants of *“An-fer-nee! An-fer-nee!”* from fans and players alike.
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### A Historic Achievement
At 24, Simons now holds the distinction of being the **youngest player to ever win the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest**, surpassing former youngest winners like **Kobe Bryant** (who won at 18 in 1997) in overall scoring and difficulty ratings, due to modern scoring criteria.
> “Age is just a number,” Simons said. “But legacy? That’s forever.”
He also becomes the **first Trail Blazer in franchise history** to win the Slam Dunk title—an achievement that drew celebration across the city of Portland.
The Blazers posted a full tribute video within minutes of his win, followed by a congratulatory message from **Damian Lillard** himself:
> “Knew it was coming. Proud of you, fam. Let the world know: Blazers fly high too.”
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### From Florida to Flight: Simons’ Journey
Born in Altamonte Springs, Florida, and drafted by Portland in 2018, Simons has long been considered one of the NBA’s most gifted athletes. But while he’s shown flashes of brilliance on the court, including a 45-point career high and being a constant three-point threat, **his leaping ability has always hinted at something greater**.
> “In practice, he does dunks that we didn’t think were possible,” said teammate **Shaedon Sharpe**. “It was only a matter of time before the world saw it.”
Simons’ vertical jump has been unofficially recorded at **44.5 inches**, placing him among the NBA’s elite leapers, alongside legends like **Zach LaVine** and **Vince Carter**.
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### Beyond the Contest: What It Means
Simons’ win isn’t just about aerial theatrics. It’s a **statement about modern NBA stardom**—that success isn’t only about scoring or accolades, but **entertainment, imagination, and connection**.
His victory comes at a time when the NBA has been **reimagining All-Star Weekend** to better highlight rising stars and engage fans with storytelling and creativity. Simons delivered exactly that: **a hero’s arc in mid-air**.
> “He turned dunks into storytelling,” said **Shaquille O’Neal**, a contest judge. “That’s rare. That’s art.”
And for Portland—a franchise rebuilding around youth and potential—Simons’ win provided more than just bragging rights. It gave the team a **symbol of hope**, a reminder that the new generation of Blazers can fly just as high.
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### The Fans React
As Simons’ final dunk hit social media, fans flooded the NBA’s accounts with praise:
* **“Best dunk contest in YEARS. Simons brought it back to life.”**
* **“He made Portland proud. It’s Simons’ city now.”**
* **“That kid is pure elevation and elegance.”**
Even celebrities took notice. Rapper **Drake** reposted Simons’ final dunk with the caption: *“Hangtime legend. Blazers up.”*
Former dunk champ **Zach LaVine** tweeted: *“That boy can FLY. Respect.”*
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### Giving Credit Where It’s Due
Simons didn’t take the moment for granted. At the post-contest media scrum, he spent most of his time thanking those who helped shape his career:
> “To my family, my teammates, my coaches — thank you for believing in me when I wasn’t even sure I believed in myself. And to the fans: you pushed me to take flight.”
He also gave a nod to his fellow contestants:
> “Toppin? Thompson? Mikey? All those guys brought heat. It could’ve gone any way. I was just blessed to have my best night at the right time.”
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### What’s Next?
With the dunk title in his pocket, Simons returns to Portland to finish what has already been a breakout season.
Averaging **22.4 points per game**, with career highs in assists and efficiency, he’s emerged as the cornerstone of the Trail Blazers’ rebuild.
There’s even growing talk that Simons, long viewed as a complementary piece, is now **a franchise leader**—someone capable of ushering in the team’s next competitive era.
> “We’ve seen the highlights,” said head coach **Chauncey Billups**. “But behind closed doors, it’s the work ethic, the maturity, and now the leadership. This dunk title? Just a surface reflection of a much deeper transformation.”
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### Building a Legacy
Simons has also begun investing in his **off-court identity**, launching a foundation in 2024 dedicated to youth empowerment and recreational access in underserved communities. The dunk contest, he says, was not just a personal win—but a **symbol of possibility** for the kids he serves.
> “When I was 10, I watched Vince. I watched Gerald Green. I dreamed,” Simons said. “Now I hope some other kid out there is dreaming because of me.”
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### Final Thoughts: A Star Rises (Literally)
In a league filled with big personalities and bigger expectations, **Anfernee Simons has chosen to let his game—and his elevation—do the talking**.
With his All-Star Slam Dunk title, he’s joined a pantheon of greats. But more importantly, he’s established himself not just as a highlight machine, but a **heartfelt, grounded, and inspiring figure** in today’s NBA.
> “I didn’t win this to be famous,” Simons said in closing. “I won this to show what’s possible. For me. For Portland. For anyone willing to rise.”
And rise he did.
High above the rim, high above the noise—and straight into the history books.
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