Wichita State’s Early invited to Final Four dunk contest

Wichita State senior Cleanthony Early has been invited to participate in the State Farm Dunk Contest on April 3 in Dallas. The event is two days before the Final Four begins in nearby Arlington, Texas.

The dunk contest and accompanying three-point shooting contest are for players whose eligibility has expired. Early, a second-team All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, completed his senior season when the Shockers lost 78-76 to Kentucky on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32 in St. Louis.

Early gained even more notoriety during that game for a first-half dunk that brought the Scottrade Center crowd to its feet.

It’s the second time in three years a Shocker will participate. David Kyles, a senior in 2012, did not advance out of the first round of dunks in New Orleans.

This story was originally published March 27, 2014 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Wichita State’s Early invited to Final Four dunk contest."