How. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
The 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Champion looked like a fan who had won a contest, complete with a jersey he’d never worn in a game.
Only die-hard NBA fans (or somewhat dedicated college basketball fans) had likely heard the name Mac McClung before Saturday, given his resume that spans a solid college career at Georgetown and Texas Tech, an impressive G-League career, two total NBA games and some viral dunking clips existed.
By attending, McClung made history as the first G-League player to be invited to one of the NBA’s premier events.
By the end of the night, McClung — who participated in a Philadelphia 76ers jersey after signing a two-way contract with the team four days ago — cemented himself as one of the most memorable dunk contest winners of all time and the newest person who “save” the event.
McClung showed he was special from the first dunk as he vaulted over two people and bounced the ball off the backboard for a clear perfect 50 score.
He followed that up with a spinning dunk, which also earned a 50, but just missed:
By now the direction of the night was clear. McClung might have faced three real NBA players — KJ Martin of the Houston Rockets, Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans, and Jericho Sims of the New York Knicks — but he was the star.
The final against Murphy was basically a no-contest. McClung opened with what was arguably his weakest dunk, but it could still have been the night’s fourth-best performance.
And then he revealed he saved his best for last:
For an event that seems to trigger an existential crisis every year when its roster of no-names is announced, McClung has made sure it’s worth the price of admission.
“I love Vince Carter and just watching Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon’s dunk contest was so much fun,” McClung told reporters after the event. “I was like, ‘Man, if I can be a part of this one day, I hope I can make an impact like these guys.’ I got a lot of inspiration from them here in this corner.”
The story goes on
This could also just be the beginning of his legend, as revealed in his post-event interview with TNT:
“If you want me, I’ll be back.”
McClung, who played two seasons at Georgetown and one for Texas Tech, was not drafted in the 2021 NBA draft. He began his career with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, signed with the Chicago Bulls to play a game for them, then returned to the Lakers and was named 2022 G League Rookie of the Year.
He opened this season on the Golden State Warriors’ Summer League roster but was released in early October. That saw him join the Delaware Blue Coats, a Sixers subsidiary, where he waited until Wednesday to secure a two-way contract with the big league club.
This was a good first impression.