ASU's Shaquielle McKissic set for Final Four dunk contest

In some ways, this is the perfect college send-off for Shaquielle McKissic – performing in Thursday's State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.

For one, the Arizona State senior forward gets to be around his family. McKissic's mom, brother and sister all live in Indianapolis, site of this week's Final Four. Second, dunking is his thing.

"You know, I've never lost a dunk contest," the springy 6-foot-5 McKissic said. "I think I've been in like four or five, but obviously, none of them had this magnitude."

McKissic is one of three players with Arizona ties performing in Thursday's event. UC Davis guard Corey Hawkins – who attended Avondale Estrella High and started his career at ASU – is in the 3-point shootout along with Matt Carlino, a Marquette guard who also grew up in the Valley.

The competition – on ESPN – starts at 4 p.m.

Joining Hawkins and Carlino in the 3-point shootout: Alex Barlow of Butler; Ryan Boatright of Connecticut; Jordan Sibert of Dayton; Darrun Hilliard of Villanova; Kevin Pangos of Gonzaga and Pat Connaughton of Notre Dame.

Others in the dunk contest: J.D. Weatherspoon of Toledo; Keifer Sykes of UW-Green Bay; Tekele Cotton of Wichita State; Jon Octeus of Purdue; Jamee Crockett of DePaul; LaQuavius Cotton of Delta State; Antjuan Ball of West Texas A&M; and Davene Carter of Tarlenton St.

"Hopefully, I'll have enough juice to do the dunks I want to do," McKissic said. "I'm just going to go out there and have fun."

It'll also be nice to see family.

"That's even better," McKissic said. "I don't have to worry about a scouting report and stuff like that, I can just relax and be with my mom."