The Orlando Magic?s Dwight Howard will defend his crown in the 2009 Sprite Slam Dunk competition to be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night Feb. 14, at US Airways Center (8 p.m. ET on TNT) in Phoenix. Howard will compete against the Memphis Grizzlies' Rudy Gay, who participated in last year?s contest, and the New York Knicks? Nate Robinson, winner of the 2006 contest in Houston.  

For the first time, fans will select the fourth participant, exclusively through an online vote on NBA.com, from a list of three rookies: the Milwaukee Bucks? Joe Alexander, the Portland Trail Blazers? Rudy Fernandez, or the Oklahoma City Thunder?s Russell Westbrook.