'Skywalker' Carter set to dazzle Hong Kong with slam dunks

NBA superstar Vince Carter will be parading his phenomenal slam-dunk skills and extraordinary talents as a special guest of the Nike All-Hong Kong Youth Basketball League next week.

The 25-year-old Toronto Raptors star, who is nicknamed 'Skywalker' for his jumping abilities and breathtaking displays in the air, will attend a freestyle lay-up contest next Thursday at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai.

And not only will Carter show the more than 200 players expected to turn out for the contest why he is considered the king of slam dunks - as well as one of the greatest players in the NBA - he will also adjudicate and give professional advice to outstanding players from the youth league.

'We are very excited to have Vince Carter visit Hong Kong this summer and in particular attend the All-Hong Kong Youth Basketball League. We believe young players in Hong Kong will be able to learn a great deal from this award-winning star player and cultivate further interest in the sport,' said Queenie Li, business director for Nike Hong Kong.

Carter underwent arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left knee in March and should be healthy by the start of next season, according to the Raptors' team surgeon Paul Marks.

The 6-foot-6 superstar guard missed the last six weeks of the season, but a spokesman for the organisers said the three-time All-Star would demonstrate his skills despite missing the entire NBA playoffs while recuperating from surgery.