Isaiah Rider

Documented through the NBA’s lifelong history book after conquering the 1994 Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie season, Isaiah Rider spent the rest of his nine-year career offering highflying encores all across the league’s landscape. Prepared to deliver another memorable sequence during a March 22, 1995 regular-season clash against the Dallas Mavericks, Rider gets reactive, zipping the floor with purpose in recognition of his teammate’s rebound. Slowing his pace ever slightly to coalign with his teammate’s transition lob attempt, the gifted two-guard elevates skyward, powering the ball through the rim for a ferocious one-handed alley-oop. A walking highlight, even during one of the rare off-shooting performances from his 1994-95 season, Rider — scoring in double-figures in 59 of a possible 67 games — logged six points, two rebounds, four assists, and a steal during the mid-March loss. Repivoting back into form quickly, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ No. 5 pick in 1993 enjoyed his most statistically-fruitful campaign, averaging a career-high in points (20.4) alongside a serviceable field goal percentage (44.7 percent), and the No. 20 finish in 3-pointers (139).

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