Shawn Marion - NBA (Suns, Mavericks, Heat, Raptors, Cavaliers)

1) Shawn Marion is a former NBA star small forward/ shooting guard/ power forward who played for the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, and Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. 

2) Marion began his collegiate career at Vincennes University (a junior college in Indiana) where he garnered 2nd team All-American and 1st team All-American honors as a freshman and sophomore. Following his sophomore year, Shawn attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) for one season (1998-99)  before getting drafted 9th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1999 NBA Draft.

3) Shawn Marion finished up his illustrious 16 year NBA career with 4 NBA All-Star selections, he was named All-NBA 3rd team two times ('05, '06), and finished his 2011 season on top with an NBA Championship in which his Dallas Mavericks defeated the Lebron James and Dwyane Wade led Miami Heat in six games.

Jordan: What brand of shoes were your favorite to wear when playing in the NBA?

Shawn Marion: NIKE

Jordan's Follow Up: That's cool because Nike is what I rep. I almost always wear Nike.

Andrew Bernstein / Getty Images

Danny: What is your favorite NBA memory?

Shawn Marion: I have lots of great memories. Not just one. Getting drafted was a great one as I started my career in the NBA. But also winning the championship and the All-Stars, I've got a lot of them.

Danny's Follow Up: Winning the championship sounds awesome. It would be pretty cool to be an All-Star too because it means you are one of the best players in the league.

The Vincent family was all over Chicago during the weekend of February 15-17th as the NBA held their All-Star festivities in Chicago for the first time in over 30 years. Our team decided we would try to take advantage of all of the amazing opportunities for fans to take part in while the NBA was in our city. Our first stop of the day was the AT&T flagship store on Michigan Avenue where we knew Shawn would be attending later that afternoon. After trying out all of their interactive photo and game opportunities we made our way back to meet The Matrix!

It was 2:30 pm and Shawn was right on time. He greeted all four of us with a hand shake and asked both Jordan and Danny for their names. Jordan jumped in right away with his shoe question and Danny followed by asking about his favorite NBA memory. With 16 years in the league, it's understandable that so many moments stand out to Shawn. My boys are up to date on nearly every current NBA star in the league and many legends but it was fun to catch them up on the career of Shawn Marion on our way into the city. I told them that he was born in Waukegan (just 20 minutes from us in Mundelein) and turned himself into a tremendous NBA player. From his run and gun days with the high speed Phoenix Suns to the unforgettable late comebacks in the fourth quarters of the Finals against the Heat, Marion got to be a part of it all in his time in the league.  

Big thanks to Shawn for giving our team a special experience and spending his time meeting with fans in Chicago during All-Star weekend! 

Derrick Jones Jr. - Miami Heat

1) Derrick Jones Jr. is a small forward/ shooting guard for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. 

2) Derrick attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) for one season (2015-16) before leaving to play professional basketball.

3) Jones Jr. won the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest after an incredible head to head matchup with Aaron Gordon that went to overtime dunks. Derrick came out on top with his final dunk (windmill dunk just inside the free throw line) scoring a 48 with Gordon's dunk receiving 47 points. 

Photo credit Eddy Matchette / Getty Images

C: What was your favorite dunk of the night?

Derrick Joes Jr.: All of my dunks (were my favorite)

C's Follow Up: All of Derrick's dunks were special on All-Star Saturday night. My favorite Jones Jr. dunk was through the leg dunks over two people. 

Photo credit Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press

Jen: How did you celebrate your big win last night (Saturday)?

Derrick Jones Jr.: I went out and had dinner with my family.

Jen's Follow Up: That seems like a great way to celebrate. Derrick was a really nice guy.

What a crazy experience it was to meet the AT&T Dunk Contest Champion just 14 hours after he won his title in one of the most epic dunk contests of all time. Jen and I had made our way back to the city (my 3rd time in a row) to take in more all-star weekend festivities and ultimately end up at the all-star game on Sunday evening. While sitting in the coffee shop AT&T posted that Derrick would be making his return the flagship store and it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up.

Derrick was as advertised when he arrived at the store. He was a humble guy but at the same time knew he was worthy and deserving of the trophy that was on display next to him. On All-Star Saturday Night, our family was all eyes on the dunk contest and we couldn't have been more impressed with each and every one of Derrick's dunks. He said they were all his favorite and I understand how it would be tough to single one out. One thing that is for certain is that Derrick has some serious bounce and I know our team hope that he enters one more time next year to defend his title. Thanks to Derrick for his time and to AT&T for the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the champ just hours after his win.