Sharpe’s dunk makes case as NBA’s top season highlight
WASHINGTON—Shaedon Sharpe has been one of the NBA’s most gifted young dunk artists since he was selected seventh overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2022 NBA draft. But he reached a new level on Wednesday night—possibly literally.
Sharpe’s vicious one-handed slam over the unfortunately placed Justin Champagnie was immediately hailed as one of the best in the NBA this season. He called it the best of his career, and it was part of an all-around career night in Portland’s 129-121 win over the Washington Wizards.
“I just started like laughing, like, ‘Wow, man. Poor kid up under him,’” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said of the slam. “That was pretty incredible.”
The 21-year-old Sharpe led Portland with a career-high 36 points, shot 13 of 26 from the floor and sank 7 of 10 free throws, including four in a row down the stretch.
And his signature moment originated with an alert defensive play when he swiped Champagnie’s pass beyond the three-point arc. Sharpe then took one dribble into the paint and launched so high into the air that even his teammates were in disbelief.
