HOUSTON – After receiving the most votes on social media each of the past four rounds of the 2023 State Farm Dark Horse Dunker Fan Vote, Intersport, producers of the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, announced on Friday afternoon that East Stroudsburg University men's basketball
Carlos Pepin will have the opportunity to compete in the King's Hawaiian College Slam Dunk Championship.
Pepin will go head-to-head with the premier dunkers of NCAA Division I high-major institutions, which will take place in at the Bayou Music Center in downtown Houston on March 30th at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
Pepin was one of 16 nominated Dark Horse Dunkers at the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA USCAA and JUCO levels, advancing to the final eight, four and then won the final vote with the help of the passionate East Stroudsburg University Warriors fan base.
An All-PSAC East and NABC All-Region First Team selection, Pepin also participated in the Reese's Division II College All-Star Game this past Friday.
The Lodi, N.J. native ranked ninth in the country in double-doubles with 14 on the season, leading the Warriors in both scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.0 rpg) as ESU earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in program history.
This season, Pepin's 587 points ranks sixth most in a single season (most since Jonathan Roberts' season record of 689 in 1989-90). His 287 rebounds rank eighth among Warriors in a single season, with his output being the highest since the all-time leading rebounder Roberts posted 332 in 1989-90.
Pepin will look to join three State Farm Dark Horse Dunker Fan Vote winners that went on to win the Slam Dunk Championship in Marcus Lewis (Eastern Kentucky, 2014), James Justice (Martin Methodist College, 2012) and Jacob Tucker (Illinois College, 2011).
It's been a busy week for the graduate student, who participates in the NABC/Reese's Division II All-Star Game in Evansville, Indiana on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET.
About Intersport
Since 1985, Intersport has been an award-winning innovator and leader in the creation of sports, lifestyle, culinary and entertainment-based marketing platforms. With expertise in Sponsorship Consulting, Experiential Marketing, Hospitality, Customer Engagement, Content Marketing, Productions and Sports Properties, this Chicago-based Marketing & Media Solutions Company helps their clients to create ideas, content and experiences that attract and engage passionate audiences. To learn more about Intersport, visit www.intersport.global, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
