Mac McClung revives the NBA Slam Dunk Competition

The G-Leaguer that brought the dunking competition back

Former high school sensation, Mac McClung, made history last February 18 in the NBA Slam Dunk Competition. Being the first G-Leaguer to participate, Mac scored perfect 50s 19 out of 20 times, with 49 being the only outlier.

Many fans didn’t even know of McClung before this achievement, so it needs to be asked. Where did he come from?

Get to know the G-Leaguer who brought the NBA Slam Dunk Competition back to life.

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The High School Phenomenon

Above Gate City High School (Photo: Earl Neikirk/Flickr.com)

Gate City High School (Photo: Earl Neikirk/Flickr.com)

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Starting as a varsity basketball player at Gate City High School, Virginia, Mac McClung started his dunking career. Averaging 29 points in his junior year and hitting a career-high of 64 points, he was labelled as “one of the nation’s most exciting players” by MaxPreps.

In McClung's senior year debut against Lee High School, the head coach of Georgetown watched him score 47 points. A month later, he was told by coach James Schooler that he was going to Georgetown.

College years

Above Mac McClung in Texas Tech (Photo by CCS Pictures/Flickr.com)

Mac McClung in Texas Tech (Photo by CCS Pictures/Flickr.com)

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McClung’s first year was quite eventful. He set a freshman season-high of 38 points against Little Rock and averaged 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and two assists per game. His sophomore year was less eventful. After suffering a foot injury, he was only able to play 21 games, averaging 15.7 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. When the season ended, he declared for the 2020 NBA Draft but withdrew quickly to transfer to Texas Tech.

His junior year debut at Texas Tech was a rough season for McClung. His averages dipped to 15.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. But in his senior year, he declared for the draft again, only this time he remained and left his collegiate eligibility behind.

The start of his professional career

Above Mac McClung's Dunks (Chaz NBA)

McClung’s early professional career was spent moving around teams. He signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Chicago Bulls, and back to the Lakers before finally settling with the Philadelphia 76ers, or more notably, the Delaware Blue Coats.

He then went on to accept the invitation to the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Competition and became the first G-Leaguer to participate in and win the event. He was unknown by the community before, but with his creative dunks, he made Mac McClung a name to remember.

NBA fans were already feeling fatigued by the dunking competition, but they did not expect McClung. Everyone flocked to his Twitter and Instagram, posting edits, clips, and even fan cams of him.

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Gabriel Bohol

Features Writer, Tatler Philippines

About

Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.

Work

A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.

You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.