Mac McClung just earned his shot at stardom following the 2023 NBA All-Star Games Slam Dunk Contest. Nobody imagined him to take the stage by storm as he exceeded all expectations. The audience, judges, and players’ reactions to the monstrous final jam were all that was needed to know the contest trophy rightfully belonged to him.
This shot of Mac McClung’s final dunk 🤯#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday pic.twitter.com/b8rXjRfg52
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
Many probably believed he had less advantage coming into the Slam Dunk Contest due to his height. But he proved it was all just a myth. The Philadelphia 76ers guard pulled off the unthinkable by hitting a nearly impossible 540-degree dunk. He certainly finished it off n authority by signaling to the cameras that “It’s over”, meaning he stole the trophy from his opponent Trey Murphy III.
Murphy also had a few impressive jams but there were not good enough to entice the judges into giving higher scores. Mac McClung on the other hand had incredible body movements and got very creative with all of his dunks. He used mid-air hesitations, body momentum, and also humans. In the end, he had his challenger in disbelief ultimately earning himself the contest trophy.
What is Mac McClung’s vertical?
Mac McClung may not have been as well known among NBA fans but his insane athleticism is historic. After what we all witnessed during the Slam Dunk Contest, you are probably wondering how high the six-foot-two point guard can jump. He has a 43.5-inch vertical jump which ranks as the seventh-highest jump recorded during the draft combine.
Mac is the definition of debunking the myth of the white male’s inability to “hop”. He never really had a proper career in the mainstages of the NBA. He began with the South Bay Lakers and eventually got signed by the Chicago Bulls where he played a single game. Then the guard managed to get named the NBA G League’s Rookie of the Year.
“WELCOME TO THE NBA” 🗣
Mac McClung showing out at #ATTSlamDunk ‼️ pic.twitter.com/fWLEhtes2a
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2023
The following season, he signed with the Windy City Bulls and played briefly for the Los Angeles Lakers. Mac McClung continued in the G League for South Bay and thrived. This season, Mac signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Delaware Blue Coats. His future looks promising in the NBA now that he has caught the attention of team recruits.