SAN FRANCISCO — Damian Lillard aims to etch his name alongside legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges by participating in this year’s 3-point contest during the All-Star weekend, which takes place on February 15 in San Francisco.

Lillard, who currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, was officially named as a participant in the highly anticipated event on Friday. Alongside him, rising star Victor Wembanyama from the San Antonio Spurs will also showcase his talents in the Skills Challenge as one of the eight players set for the competition announced on the same day.

The accomplished Lillard is vying for his third consecutive 3-point title, a feat previously achieved only by Bird and Hodges. Bird claimed victory in the inaugural three contests held from 1985 to 1987, while Hodges achieved a remarkable three-peat from 1990 to 1992.

This year’s 3-point contest will feature an impressive lineup, including New York’s Jalen Brunson, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Cleveland’s Darius Garland, Miami’s Tyler Herro, Buddy Hield from Golden State, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson, and Norman Powell representing the Los Angeles Clippers. Lillard is set to make his fifth appearance in the contest, while Hield has participated three times before, with a win in 2020 under his belt. Brunson and Herro will also make their second appearances, whereas all other competitors will be stepping onto the 3-point contest stage for the first time.

The Skills Challenge will be characterized by two-player teams. Participants will include Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley from the Cleveland Cavaliers, a duo of Alex Sarr and Zaccharie Risacher from the Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks respectively, along with Wembanyama and Chris Paul representing the Spurs, and Draymond Green teaming up with Moses Moody from the Golden State Warriors.

Earlier in the week, the lineup for the dunk contest was also revealed. Mac McClung, a two-way player for the Orlando Magic, will aim to make history by becoming the first athlete to win three consecutive dunk contests, facing off against San Antonio rookie Stephon Castle, Chicago rookie Matas Buzelis, and Andre Jackson Jr., who plays for Milwaukee in his second year.