Mac McClung After Third Straight Dunk Title: ‘I’m Very Honored To Be Here’

February 16, 2025

Magic man Mac McClung has barely played in the NBA but he continues to dominate one night of the league’s showcase weekend.

We’re talking about the All-Star Weekend dunk contest, of course, and McClung is your three-time consecutive champion. The first in NBA history, in fact.

Not bad for a guy who has spent the majority of his pro career in the G League and on two-way contracts.

Either way, McClung undoubtedly deserved the latest title, voted on by a judging panel that included former NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Baron Davis and Jason Richardson. For starters, McClung jumped over a car for a slam — and that was just his opening act.

He followed by jumping over his coach for a twisting throwdown, then dunked two balls at once. One of those balls was held by a friend on a twirling hoverboard and another by an individual standing on a ladder.

Then came the final slam, when McClung jumped over Cavs 7-footer Evan Mobley, who stood on a platform. McClung snatched the ball from Mobley in mid-flight, tapped it against the rim, then dunked it home.

His final-round victory came over Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, who had some amazing slams of his own. The Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr. and Bulls’ Matas Buzelis were eliminated in the first round.

Those guys have all proven to be better NBA players than McClung. But for three straight years, again, this event has been his. And he accepted the trophy with a great deal of grace — something that’s been the rally cry of all the stars at this weekend’s event. Being humble seems to be the new NBA way and more than ever.

For instance, McClung was asked if it would be fair to call him the greatest dunker ever (via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic).

“I definitely don’t think that’s something for me to say,” McClung responded. “… I was just extremely honored to be part of this weekend. The biggest thing is I genuinely love this contest, and I’m very honored to be here and just very appreciative.”

McClung has played in just five NBA games since 2021 and is currently on a two-way deal with Orlando. One rival GM told Hoops Wire that McClung could go down as one of the greatest G Leaguers ever, “but I don’t know if he has a game that will transfer to the NBA” on a full-time basis.

But McClung has lived as an NBA king for a weekend, and for a lot of guys, that would be really cool enough.