Having played in only two NBA games in his career, Mac McClung was not a household name before Saturday night’s Slam Dunk Contest. Things are different now.
McClung had been playing with the Delaware Blue Coats, the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. On Tuesday, he signed a two-way deal with the 76ers. Less than a week later, he made a big impression on one of the NBA’s biggest stages.
McClung’s dunking prowess has been known in the basketball world for a while, thanks to what he did in high school. On Saturday, he did the same thing in the pros, winning the Slam Dunk Competition, last defeating Trey Murphy III in the final round.
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
McClung’s performance was so impressive that TNT’s Reggie Miller proclaimed he “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
That sentiment was shared by fellow Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players ever, Magic Johnson.
Mac McClung has personally saved the slam dunk contest with his performance tonight!! He put on a show! 🔥🔥🔥
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 19, 2023
Miller and Magic weren’t the only ones heaping praise upon the 6-foot-2 McClung. Several NBA stars did the same thing in the aftermath of McClung’s dunk contest victory.
Man was a viral HOH high school dunk phenom, still working his way to the League, but lemme go get that dunk contest trophy right quick and bring it back to life!!! Unreal #macmclung
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) February 19, 2023
Yeaaa… go on ahead and put his name in the dunk contest for next year too ! #NBAAllStar
— Mo Bamba (@TheRealMoBamba) February 19, 2023
Amazing performance by McClung! Fun to get surprised after every dunk!! 🛫 #NBAAllStar
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) February 19, 2023
This is so Dope! Congratulation Mac McClung
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) February 19, 2023
He went crazy wit the 540 😅
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) February 19, 2023
McClung bounce is crazy
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) February 19, 2023
Nahhhh mac willlllin! 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/AjGV8duRfo
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) February 19, 2023
The dunk contest was much maligned when the contestants were announced. Even during the broadcast, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green asked for some of the NBA’s best players to participate in future events — specifically calling out both Ja Morant and Zion Williamson.
But McClung’s performance won him the admiration of players and fans alike.
