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8h ago

Taurian Fontenette, 'Mr. 720,' Dead at 43

Family confirmed his death with no cause announced and his passing has sparked tributes that recall a career-changing 720-degree dunk that reshaped modern dunking culture.

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T.J. Fontenette, also known as "Air up There", of Hitchcock brings the ball from between his legs before dunking during the AND 1 Mix Tape Streetball Tour event at Reliant Arena Wednesday June 28,2006 in Houston.
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Overview

  • His sister posted a family confirmation on November 3 that Taurian Fontenette had died at 43, and local authorities reported no additional details as the family asked for privacy.
  • Fontenette rose from Hitchcock High School to college programs at UTEP, Richland and Paul Quinn before earning a spot on the AND1 Mixtape Tour after a 2005 tryout while he was working security.
  • He completed the first widely documented in-game 720-degree dunk during a 2006 AND1 stop at Houston’s Toyota Center, a moment that earned him the nickname “Mr. 720” and SportsCenter Top 10 exposure.
  • Beyond the 720, his signature 360 between-the-legs move known as the 'Axle-Rider' influenced later NBA dunkers and earned praise from peers who called him a founder of the professional dunk movement.
  • Coverage so far centers on tributes and retrospectives from friends and the dunking community while reporters await any formal statement on cause of death or further details from officials.