By Celso Samson Jr.
INDIANAPOLIS - A year after he took home the Slam Dunk title during last year's All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake, City in Utah, Mac McClung remains a household name among NBA fans around the world.
Unfortunately, the athletic skills and high-leaping abilities he showcased on All-Star Saturday Night has not translated into a permament job in the league.
With just four NBA games in his resume, McClung's nomadic journey has taken him to Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. None have signed him to a roster spot and he was offered instead just a few 10-day contracts and two-way deals.
Currently a member of the Osceola Magic of the G League, the 6-foot-2 guard is not stressed about his situation but he said he will keep grinding until he finds an NBA home soon.
"That's definitely always the goal. I play the game because I genuinely love basketball. It's like, as I get older I make sure that my intention is to get better everyday.
"I know who I am. I believe I deserve it and it's all in God's time. I'm playing basketball for a living and I'm blessed. I'm gonna keep going. I'm not gonna quit, that's not what I'm going to do"
While he may be viewed only as a dunker, McClung is more than just that. He was a three-star recruit in high school and played college ball at Texas Tech and the famed Georgetown University where NBA greats Allen Iverson and Patrick Ewing starred.
Undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, McClung averaged 14.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per in 79 NCAA games.
As the 25-year old prepares to defend his dunking crown, we asked if he still has more stuff in the bag.
He're what he told SPIN.ph.
" I think a lot of things go into a dunk contest and I've been lucky to have the fans behind me last year. We've really been creative in figuring out more stuff this year and, hopefully, I will."
Sounds like a "yes."
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