In a star-studded UCLA backcourt that has included Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams and Zach LaVine in recent years, Norman Powell has always served as a complementary option rather than a go-to threat. Powell has finally had a chance to shine as a senior, and he is taking full advantage. Powell is playing at an all-conference level, averaging a team-best 15.7 points per game for UCLA so far this season and scoring in double figures in 10 of his last 11 games. He torched Oregon for 23 points on 8-for-13 from the field, no basket more impressive than a first-half one-handed dunk he set up by splitting a double team with a deft through-the-legs dribble. The dunk was reminiscent of the jams Russell Westbrook produced in a UCLA uniform, though it doesn't eclipse these two YouTube staples from the 2007-08 season. (See here and here). Powell's strong play has helped UCLA bounce back from its midseason five-game losing streak and play its way into contention for an NCAA bid. If the Bruins (16-10, 8-5) win four of their last five regular season games, that might be enough for them to sneak in.

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Previous Dunk of the Year nominees:

• Jerian Grant ruins a Yellowjacket's day
• LMU's Evan Payne soars
• Wyoming's Jason McManamin takes flight
• Buffalo's Justin Moss throws down ferocious slam
• Sam Thompson's inbound slam
• Lift off for Wyoming's Josh Adams
• Demetrius Jackson puts a 7-footer in a poster
• Cliff Alexander destroys Oklahoma State
• Montrezl Harrell's stretching alley-oop slam
• High Point guard's soaring one-handed alley-oop
• Le'Bryan Nash lays waste to Texas defender
• Jalen Reynolds' off-glass alley-oop

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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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