Report: Former Lakers G Mac McClung Accepts Invitation to 2023 Dunk Contest
January 13, 2023
Mac McClung, currently a member of the G League's Delaware Blue Coats, has agreed to participate in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Per Charania, he'll join Portland Trail Blazers rookie wing Shaedon Sharpe and Houston Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. in the event.
Unless he's signed by an NBA team, McClung will be the first G League player to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest.
The 24-year-old is averaging 17.6 points and 4.4 assists per game for the Blue Coats this season while shooting 63.8 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three. He appeared in 27 G League games last season, putting up 21.5 points per contest for the Windy City Bulls and South Bay Lakers.
The former Texas Tech star had a cup of coffee with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers in the 2021-22 season, appearing in one game for each franchise. He also was signed by the Golden State Warriors this offseason, though he was released in early October.
But more germane to the Slam Dunk Contest conversation, McClung has some serious hops:
He'll have some real competition in that regard against Sharpe and Martin, however, two explosive leapers in their own right:
"I try to just have fun with that type of stuff, put on a show," Sharpe told reporters last week about participating in the event. "I mean, it's cool getting all that attention, but it's whatever."
The NBA Dunk Contest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. ET at Salt Lake City's Vivint Arena and broadcast on TNT.