Robert “Jay” McKee, who has been described as a gentle giant and was a former Sprite Slam Dunk champion, has died. He was 24.

He was born in Whiteville, N.C. on June 17, 1988 to Elicia D. McKee and Albert L. McCullum. When he departed this life on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, the basketball community and the city of Philadelphia lost a bright shining star.

Affectionately known as “Jay,” he came to Philadelphia at the age of one and became a product of the public school system. He attended Harrington Elementary School and played basketball and football at numerous recreation centers in the city. He showed promise of becoming a great basketball player. He then attended Shaw Middle School and Southern High School. While at Southern, he played basketball as a center and power forward and graduated in 2006.

McKee won the Sprite Slam Dunk contest in 2009 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. He also served as a coach in the Henry Hill little league basketball league at 12th and Carpenter streets.

He was the brother of Tywain McKee, who plays international basketball, the grandson of Evengelist Helen McKee, and the father of Tari Armani Fulton.

A viewing will be held on Sept. 14 at from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Victory Christian Center, 5220 Whitby Ave. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will be at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Francis Funeral Home handled the arrangements.