The field for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is a little different in 2023.
Like in years past, the contest field will consist of four players, but for the first time ever, one of the four players won't be completely representing an NBA team. This year, Mac McClung, a second-year guard on a two-way contract with the 76ers, will be one of four participants in the contest.
McClung isn't exactly an unknown — he's been the source of several viral highlights since starring in high school. This year's contest affords McClung the opportunity to become more of a household name in NBA circles.
As he steps onto the All-Star Saturday Night stage, learn more about McClung, the two-way player that could steal the show.
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Who is Mac McClung?
Mac McClung is a 6-2 guard that's on a two-way contract with the 76ers, meaning he'll also spend time with their G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, McClung took the G League route, spending the majority of the 2021-22 G League season with the South Bay Lakers, who are affiliated with the Los Angeles Lakers.
McClung, the 2021-22 G League Rookie of the Year, also appeared in two NBA games last season, including LA's season finale, which he capped off with a reverse dunk.
McClung signed a non-guaranteed deal with Golden State in the 2022 offseason and, after being released, signed an Exhibit-10 contract with Philadelphia, which ultimately led him to the franchise's G League affiliate.
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that McClung had agreed to a two-way contract with the 76ers, bringing him one step closer to his NBA dream.
Stay the course. https://t.co/XxRGgEcxtZ
— mac mcclung (@McclungMac) February 14, 2023
Mac McClung viral highlights
Years prior to becoming a professional, McClung quickly rose to prominence as one of the most athletic high school basketball players in America. McClung's highlights garnered millions of views.
Here's a look back at what McClung was doing in high school, a highlight Overtime shared to commemorate his 21st birthday.
The Broadcast Angle On The Mac McClung Eastbay N Shrug Dunk Is.....A Work Of Art pic.twitter.com/HAn0GUm7Yn
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 7, 2018
In addition to his athleticism, McClung is a very skilled player. He was considered a three-star recruit and committed to play collegiately at Georgetown, where he averaged 14.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists over two seasons.
McClung transferred to Texas Tech for his third and final season of college basketball. At Texas Tech, McClung averaged 15.5 points per game and earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors.
MAC CALLED GAME 😤 pic.twitter.com/eM25BEGcZV
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) January 14, 2021
McClung went undrafted in 2021, but he did turn in one of the most impressive vertical leaps in the history of the NBA Draft Combine.
Mac McClung registered the 7th highest max vertical leap in the history of the NBA Combine with his 43 1/2 inch jump. 36 inch no-step vert is also a top-20 mark historically. pic.twitter.com/f2c49YQP41
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 20, 2021
This year, McClung has been one of the best players in the G League, posting averages of 19.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.5 rebounds in the regular season.
McClung will be busy at this year's All-Star Weekend. He's also participating in the Jordan Rising Stars Challenge and NBA G League Next Up Game.
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Mac McClung documentary
In 2018, The Sporting News traveled to Gate City, Va., to document McClung's rise in a 10-minute feature titled "Mac McClung: The Freak, The Legend, The Story."
NBA All-Star schedule 2023
Here is the schedule of events for NBA All-Star Weekend, which takes place from Feb. 17-19:
Friday, Feb. 17
- 7 p.m. ET — NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
- 9 p.m. ET — Jordan Rising Stars Game
Saturday, Feb. 18
- 1 p.m. ET — NBA All-Star Practice
- 4 p.m. ET — NBA x HBCU Classic
- 8 p.m. ET — All-Star Saturday Night
- Skills Challenge
- 3-Point Contest
- Slam Dunk Contest
Sunday, Feb. 19
- 3 p.m. ET — NBA G League Next Up Game
- 7:30 p.m. ET — NBA All-Star Draft
- 8 p.m. ET — NBA All-Star Game
