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What do legendary dunkers like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Kobe Bryant, and Dominique Wilkins lack that Mac McClung now has? Three NBA Slam Dunk Contest championships.
On 16 February 2025, McClung made history by becoming the first player to win three consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contests. His flawless performance, scoring a perfect 100 across both rounds, cemented his place among the greatest dunkers ever. Only Nate Robinson comes close with three titles as well, but not in consecutive years.
McClung's journey to becoming an elite dunker began in high school, where he gained a reputation for his acrobatic slams. But, he never acknowledged this reputation as his only contribution to the game.
“I don’t want people to think, ‘Oh, he’s just a dunker,’” he told SLAM Magazine. “I want people to know I can play.”
He proved that by scoring a career-high 64 points for Gate City High School in a loss to Virginia rival Dan River High School.
Despite his highlight-reel plays, McClung went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. Instead, he was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers on 10 August 2021, but was waived just two months later. He then joined the Lakers' G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, where he officially made his professional debut, scoring 24 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
McClung’s path to the NBA has been anything but conventional. After bouncing between the Chicago Bulls’ G-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, and returning to the South Bay Lakers, he was named the NBA G-League Rookie of the Year in 2022. However, he continued to move around, signing with the Golden State Warriors before landing with the Philadelphia 76ers' G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
In 2023, McClung made his first mark on the NBA’s biggest stage by winning the Slam Dunk Contest in electrifying fashion, achieving a near-perfect score. He later had a breakout game in Philadelphia’s final regular-season matchup, posting 20 points, nine assists, and nine rebounds. Despite this, he was released once again and signed with the Orlando Magic’s G-League affiliate, the Osceola Magic.
It was here that McClung continued to dominate the dunk contest, becoming only the fifth player in history to win back-to-back Slam Dunk Contests, joining Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson, and Zach LaVine. In the contest, he dunked over Magic Legend Shaquille O'Neal.
He also proved his abilities beyond dunking, winning the NBA G-League MVP award after averaging 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in 27 games.
On 16 February 2025, McClung made history again, winning his third straight Slam Dunk Contest and tying Nate Robinson for the most wins ever. His career earnings from the dunk contest alone have now reached $325,000 — nearly triple what he has made from his professional basketball career, according to Front Office Sports.
While his NBA future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Mac McClung is a G-League legend and, arguably, the most accomplished dunk contest performer of all time. Even in his latest win, he proudly wore his G-League jersey, a reminder of his unconventional yet remarkable journey.
But beyond the spectacle of his dunks, McClung has demonstrated an undeniable competitive fire. Despite constantly being overlooked, waived, and shuffled between teams, he continues to prove himself at every level, never backing down from a challenge. His relentless work ethic and determination should not go unnoticed. As he continues to elevate his game, one can only hope that an NBA team finally recognizes the value of his fierce competitiveness — because if there’s one thing Mac McClung has shown, it's that he refuses to be counted out.
