Taurian Fontenette, AND1 Streetball Legend ‘Mr. 720’, Died at 43

Taurian Fontenette, the streetball icon widely recognized as “Mr. 720” and “Air Up There,” died on Monday, November 2, at age 43. His sister, Tracie Sonnier, confirmed the passing of the legendary dunker via a statement on Facebook, though she did not disclose the cause of his death, El Tiempo reported.

From a Chemical Plant to Streetball Stardom

Born in 1983 in Hitchcock, Texas, Fontenette’s path to basketball notoriety was unconventional. Standing 1.88 meters tall, he had been a standout high school athlete who averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds over his final three years at Hitchcock High School. Despite playing at the collegiate level for the University of Texas at El Paso, Richland Junior College, and Paul Quinn College, his professional prospects appeared to have stalled.

By 2005, Fontenette was working as a security guard at a chemical plant in his hometown. He requested a day off from his shift specifically to attend an open tryout for the AND1 Mixtape Tour. His performance that day secured him a spot on the roster and launched his career as one of the most recognizable figures in the streetball culture of the 2000s.

The 720-Degree Dunk at Toyota Center

Fontenette cemented his place in basketball history in 2006 during an AND1 tour stop at the Toyota Center in Houston. In a moment that was captured on video and later featured in ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10, he executed a 720-degree dunk, completing two full rotations in the air before finishing the play. The feat earned him the moniker “Mr. 720,” a name that became synonymous with his vertical ability.

Beyond his rotations, Fontenette was known for his signature “Axle-Rider,” a 360-degree dunk executed while passing the ball between his legs. This specific move drew attention from professional ranks, with NBA players such as Jason Richardson, Paul George, and Dennis Smith Jr. later incorporating variations of the maneuver into their own repertoires.

Transition to Professional Leagues and Slam Dunk Victory

Following his time with AND1, Fontenette continued to perform in touring groups such as Ball4Real and BallUp. In 2009, he attempted to transition to the organized professional circuit, signing with the Dallas Generals of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The stint was short-lived, as the team folded early in the season. In 2010, he reached another career milestone by winning the inaugural Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown during the NBA All-Star Weekend, an event judged by LeBron James and Drake.

The basketball community has responded to the news with tributes. Fontenette is survived by his son, Taurian Jr., who has been a standout receiver and sprinter at Hitchcock High School.

Family Remembrance

Following the announcement, his sister Tracie Sonnier paid tribute to his character in a emotional post. “I don’t even find the words to express the immense pain that losing my little brother means,” Sonnier wrote, describing him as a “basketball genius” with an “incomparable love and talent for this sport,” and a person with a heart so large that he never hesitated to help those in need.

Questions Surrounding the Passing

While the basketball community continues to acknowledge his contributions to the sport, the circumstances of Fontenette’s death remain unconfirmed. As of this report, his family has not released information regarding the cause of his passing.