Although Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown came up short in the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, he put on a memorable performance. His dunks paid homage to basketball history, to the late Terrence Clarke, and more. Likewise, Brown collaborated on one of the internet’s hottest stars for one of his slams.
Kai Cenat is a YouTube streamer known for his comedy, pranks, and live streams. With millions of followers across social media, he’s a big time celebrity. Celtics Wire caught up with Cenat ahead of the 2024 All-Star Game, and asked him about his experience joining Brown on the court during the dunk contest.
“It was good,” Cenat said. “I’m just glad I got to experience everything. I’m having a good time out here.”
PHOTOS: Best moments from Jaylen Brown in the NBA's 2024 Slam Dunk Contest https://t.co/eg7lzRgfmT pic.twitter.com/tkBPYf9FiV
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 18, 2024
Cenat explained that he and Brown have been close for a while, and their friendship is a close one. So when Brown called to asked about hopping in to be part of one of his slams, Cenat didn’t hesitate.
Off the JT toss and over Kai Cenat 💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/CeXFe3LVhN
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 18, 2024
“Jaylen’s been showing me love,” Cenat said. “We’ve been friends for a good minute.”
“He just called me and said, ‘yo, I want you to be part of the dunk contest’ and said ‘Aight, bet. Let’s do it.”
Cenat’s big moment came on Brown’s second dunk of the night. And although his responsibility was to just sit still, he was the centerpiece of the slam.
Jaylen Brown talks All-Star Week, Slam Dunk Contest with Draymond Green, Shaq, Charles Barkley https://t.co/02xlxW1j8X pic.twitter.com/Ksf6KL2re6
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 18, 2024
The dunk itself a few moving pieces. Brown’s teammate Jayson Tatum came out to feed him a lob on the dunk. Cenat was seated in a chair in front of the hoop. Brown caught the pass, dunked over Cenat, and finished with a nod to Dee Brown.
So, was Cenat part of the creative process? As it turns out, Brown led the way on orchestrating the dunk and putting everything together.
“That was all him,” Cenat said with a smile. “I just came on and did what he told me to do.”
Jaylen Brown falls on final dunk to Mac McClung at 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest https://t.co/9O4mHCC5op pic.twitter.com/8dT0iroQ8Y
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) February 18, 2024
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