76ers guard Mac McClung shut down the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, turning in three perfect scores en route to an impressive victory.
McClung opened his performance by clearing two people, tapping the backboard and then dunking. He closed his performance with a 540 dunk that wowed every judge, every commentator, every player on the sideline and every spectator in attendance.
TNT analysts Draymond Green, Reggie Miller and Kenny Smith were quick to praise McClung's performance, going so far as to say that the 24-year-old has saved the dunk contest.
In case you're in need of a refresher, here's a look back at the performance that McClung put on.
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Mac McClung NBA Slam Dunk Contest dunks
OVER 2 PEOPLE. TAP OFF THE BACKBOARD.
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
GOODNESS, MAC MCCLUNG.#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday
📺: Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/kEzCbDofEd
360 AND THE REVERSE 🥶
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
Mac McClung went crazy for round 2.#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday
📺: Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/zwaM1N6SXC
MAC MCCLUNG HITS THE 540. PERFECT SCORE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
📺: Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/ohSyYpMAq6
Twitter world reacts to Mac McClung's NBA Slam Dunk Contest
The TNT crew members weren't the only ones to take notice of McClung. People inside — and outside — the NBA world were quick to take to Twitter in reaction to the show he put on.
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
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
This is so Dope! Congratulation Mac McClung
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) 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
McClung bounce is crazy
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) February 19, 2023
I was wrong about the dunk contest. Mac Mcclung 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) February 19, 2023
The McClung effect.#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday pic.twitter.com/4FExn0aUxN
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
OMG!! #mackmcclung WHITE MEN CAN DUNK!! -Sidney Deane says “Whooo, so pretty!!.Bravo.” 🙌🏿
— Wesley Snipes (@wesleysnipes) February 19, 2023
Max McClung really did that 😮💨 #NBAAllStar
— Foot Locker (@footlocker) February 19, 2023
The Dunk contest should be over right there, no more dunking. How do you START with that?!
— Nate Robinson (@nate_robinson) February 19, 2023
Who is Mac McClung?
Mac McClung is a 6-2 guard who is 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 season with the South Bay Lakers, who are affiliated with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was named G League Rookie of the Year.
McClung also appeared in two NBA games last season, including LA's season finale, which he capped with a reverse dunk.
McClung signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Warriors 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.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Feb. 14 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
