NBA Rookie Sensation Blake Griffin Soars in New Commercial for 2011 Kia Optima

IRVINE, CA--February 25, 2011: With a gospel choir singing at midcourt and more than 18,000 basketball fans on their feet at Staples Center, Blake Griffin won Saturday's 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk by doing something no other NBA player had done before: �dunking over a car. As his teammate Baron Davis tossed an alley-oop pass through the sunroof of the all-new 2011 Kia Optima, the Official Vehicle of the NBA, Griffin flew over the six-foot wide hood of the midsize sedan for a powerful two-handed dunk to capture the Sprite Slam Dunk title.

A record television audience watched Griffin's feat on TNT as 2011 NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm was the most watched in the event's 26 year history. �Footage of the dunk quickly spread online and Kia Motors America (KMA) will salute the rookie NBA All-Star's accomplishment with a thirty-second television ad featuring Griffin soaring over the Optima.

"Blake Griffin's incredible feat during NBA All-Star 2011 was anything but average and we are proud the all-new Kia Optima played a role in his Sprite Slam Dunk championship," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. �"Kia Motors is the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA and we are tremendous fans of the game of basketball. �This new spot underscores the fact that the Optima is not your average midsize sedan and allows us to share the excitement of Griffin's historic feat with our fellow fans."

Kia's thirty-second TV spot using footage of Griffin's dunk from the 2011 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest will debut today and be accompanied by additional print advertisements. Following Saturday's contest, Griffin autographed the 2011 Kia Optima he dunked over and the sedan will be provided to one of Griffin's charitable interests.