The 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest did not have a ton of hype around it due to the lack of star power. However, two-way Philadelphia 76ers guard Mac McClung may become an overnight sensation with his unreal performance to steal the show on Saturday night.
McClung competed against New York Knicks center Jericho Sims, New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III, and Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr.
Heading into the contest, McClung came into the contest as the betting favorite to win the event. Those who are familiar with high school basketball know that McClung has perhaps one of the most insane high school mixtapes in recent memory.
He did not disappoint when it came time to compete on Saturday. McClung got into the final round with two extremely impressive dunks in the opening round.
MAC MCCLUNG 😱 pic.twitter.com/Cfp8xLqYaH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2023
MAC MCCLUNG WOW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7RChlaVfkk
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2023
He faced off against Trey Murphy III in the final round. While Murphy put together some impressive dunks himself, he was no match for the former high school sensation.
ANOTHER 5️⃣0️⃣ FOR MAC MCCLUNG pic.twitter.com/PxH2FhHQzG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2023
In his final dunk to seal his victory in the contest, he put on his high school jersey and pulled off a 720 reverse dunk. After the dunk, he made a reference to former Dunk Contest winner Vince Carter by declaring the contest over.
Mac McClung wins the dunk contest, paying tribute to his high school on his last dunk. pic.twitter.com/5uTJnHGvb0
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 19, 2023
For someone practically unknown to most NBA fans to put on this kind of performance is simply unbelievable. Fans took to social media to offer their take on this unreal performance by Mac McClung.
Mac McClung out here saving the dunk contest
— Brooke Fletcher (@BrookeFletcher) February 19, 2023
Mac McClung Vince Carter
🤝
It's OVA pic.twitter.com/Q7uHGsxI2v— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 19, 2023
https://twitter.com/danjperlman/status/1627157327336833024
Huge congratulations to former Gate City High School basketball star, Mac McClung, on winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. I was thrilled to see his final dunk of the night was in a Gate City basketball jersey. Way to go, Mac! pic.twitter.com/ytdg1Dl1HO
— Morgan Griffith (@MorganGriffith) February 19, 2023
Mac McClung says he had about 8 dunks that he was considering bringing out. Said he still left 4 in the chamber.
Maybe for next year!
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) February 19, 2023
TNT personality and former Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller even went as far as to say that McClung “saved the Dunk Contest”.
Reggie Miller: "Mac McClung has saved the Dunk Contest. Two years straight, a G-Leaguer has saved, he has saved the Dunk Contest" pic.twitter.com/MVkUjoMnbX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 19, 2023
Overall, the Dunk Contest could have been far better if more stars were competing against him, which Draymond Green stated on the TNT broadcast.
"Question, next year can we have like, Ja Morant, Zion?"
Draymond calling out some of the NBA's best for not doing the dunk contest. pic.twitter.com/DrqHjPxccQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 19, 2023
Regardless, Mac McClung certainly made the most of this opportunity. And those who didn’t know his name before certainly should now.
[The Comeback on Twitter, Awful Announcing on Twitter, Bleacher Report on Twitter]
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.