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How good is Mac McClung? YouTube sensation eyes roster spot after signing with Warriors

Gilbert McGregor

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How good is Mac McClung? YouTube sensation eyes roster spot after signing with Warriors image

You may know Mac McClung's name from his viral highlights on YouTube, but he's carving his lane as being more than just a dunker.

After one season in the G League (complete with two games in the NBA) McClung has signed on with the defending champion Warriors, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

As outlined above, McClung had a solid showing for the Warriors at the 2022 Summer League, paving the way for this deal, which, according to Charania, is a non-guaranteed deal that gives him an opportunity to make Golden State's roster for opening night.

Just how good is McClung? Ahead of his training-camp opportunity, let's explore how realistic his chance is to make the Warriors' roster.

MORE: Warriors provide glimpse of future in 2022 Summer League

How good is Mac McClung?

High school

In 2018, The Sporting News traveled to Gate City, Va. to first document McClung, who, as a high school senior, was already a YouTube sensation thanks to his athleticism and dunking ability.

The video, titled "Mac McClung: The Freak, The Legend, The Story" has garnered over a million views, one of over a dozen of YouTube videos from McClung's high school days that have surpassed that viewership threshold. 

On the court, the 6-foot-2 McClung broke Virginia scoring records held by the likes of Allen Iverson and JJ Redick, finishing his high school career with 2,801 points. McClung was graded as a three-star recruit, choosing Georgetown over Boston College and Rutgers, among other schools.

College

With the amount of publicity McClung got as a prep standout, many wondered whether or not his game would translate to the collegiate level. 

It did.

In two seasons at Georgetown, McClung averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists, including a 38-point eruption against Arkansas Little-Rock as a freshman and a 33-point performance against Oklahoma State as a sophomore. McClung's efforts were good enough for Big East All-Freshman honors in 2018-19.

While McClung stood out, the Hoyas posted a combined 33-31 record, prompting him to enter the NCAA transfer portal after the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended his sophomore year.

McClung chose Texas Tech over offers from Arkansas, Auburn, BYU, Memphis, USC and Wake Forest, among other notable schools.

After receiving a waiver to play immediately, McClung picked up where he left off, scoring 20 points in his debut as a Red Raider. He earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors with averages of 15.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists while Texas Tech posted an 18-11 record and earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

After Texas Tech fell in the Round of 32, McClung declared for the 2021 NBA Draft.

NBA Draft

After receiving an invite to the combine, McClung didn't waste much time making a name for himself.

As gifted as he is as an athlete, McClung did not hear his name called on draft night but received an invite to play for the Lakers during the 2021 Summer League, which he parlayed into a training camp invite.

NBA G League

McClung did not make the Lakers roster for opening night of the 2021-22 season but he would sign on to play with the South Bay Lakers, LA's G League affiliate.

McClung made his presence felt in the G League, averaging 21.5 points, 7.5 assists and 6.7 rebounds over 27 regular-season games, efforts that earned him G League Rookie of the Year honors.

He even received two NBA call-ups — one to the Bulls as a hardship 10-day in December and at the end of the season when he signed a two-way contract with the Lakers.

NBA

So far, McClung has appeared in two NBA games and scored a total of eight points in 25 minutes.

While the numbers might not jump off the page, McClung found a way to put his stamp on the Lakers' win over the Nuggets in the 2021-22 season finale.

McClung's assist figures during his rookie season in the G League suggest an improvement in playmaking and an ability to lean in to a lead guard position, which most closely aligns with his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame.

While elite athleticism gives McClung the potential to be a disruptive defender, his 6-foot-3 wingspan could limit it.

That said, there is room for McClung to make Golden State's roster. As it stands, McClung is one of 12 players under a standard contract, but Stephen Curry is the lone point guard.

MORE: Warriors dominate ESPYS: Best moments from Stephen Curry hosting

Golden State has given rookie Lester Quiñones a two-way contract, but one two-way slot remains open as well, meaning there are a number of outlets for McClung to make the roster.

"Mac McClung: The Freak, The Legend, The Story"

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.