Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP, Getty Images
Mac McClung has proven to be one of the best players in the G League, but his game hasn't garnered national attention. But the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is the perfect opportunity for him to show off his skills and personality in front of millions of people watching from home.
McClung will return for NBA All-Star Weekend as he looks to defend his 2023 Slam Dunk title against new competitors in Indianapolis. The big stage not only brings the former YouTube sensation back into the hoops community, but also brings him national attention and earns him more attention from NBA scouts and decision-makers. It's also an opportunity to collect.
“I might be more nervous. [this year]'' McClung said in an interview. “We've been working hard to create something that people have never seen before. We're very excited.”
McClung, who plays for the Osceola Magic and appeared in Friday night's Rising Stars game, also has a chance to catch the eye of a top brand interested in his services again. A season ago, the Gate City, Va., native became the first G League player to accept an invitation to the NBA's dunk contest. McClung had just a few sponsorship deals before breaking out in Salt Lake City, one of which was with clothing brand Puma.
His dunk contest title garnered significant marketing interest, leading to deals with AT&T, Raising Canes, Panini America, Coinbase, Google Pixel, VKTRY Insoles, and more. The G League champion also appeared in a Dungeons & Dragons commercial with Vince Carter last year and will wear the All-Pro NITRO Showtime kicks during Showtime for this year's event after recently extending his contract with Puma is.
McClung, whose game-winning dunk generated 500 million video views on NBA social platforms in the first 12 hours after last year's event, has been careful and selective about the brands he works with. While his profile continues to rise, he said he is focused on his biggest dream of returning to the NBA, where he has played in four career games and totaled 33 points. This weekend was an example of that, when he declined an in-person commitment to make sure he was ready to perform.
“I don't put a lot of emphasis on it,” McClung said of marketing deals. “I feel like the best partnerships are the ones that come naturally. I'm not reaching for anything, but I understand the volume this weekend. That's very cool for sure, but it's not a priority for me. there is no.”
During that time, McClung ranks as the G League's fourth leading scorer. In November, he won the Player of the Month award. He was briefly called up to the 76ers last year before winning the dunk contest and appeared in two games for the 76ers at the end of the season. He signed a partially guaranteed contract with the Orlando Magic last September, but was released before the season started.
McClung may not play another NBA game, but he has a chance to find success on the internet off the court.
McClung has several hoops videos that have been viewed more than 1 million times online, dating back to his high school mixtape, but despite offers, he's so far in the realm of being a basketball influencer. I avoid setting foot in it. However, he remains open to becoming a content creator someday and entertaining his 1.2 million Instagram followers in other ways. As former NBA players carve out niches as media personalities and influencers, McClung could have a more lucrative career outside of professional basketball.
“As you get older, you'll understand that,” he said in an interview. “Things can change in days, weeks, or even years, so I don't take a yes or no decision on anything. But I don't want to jump into a YouTube channel or a podcast at this time. ”
In the meantime, the G League standout wants to defend his title and put on a show for the fans while also proving he belongs in the NBA. He said he's grateful for the attention and the multiple brands that want to work with him, and that entertaining fans with super creative dunks will only help him pursue his ultimate goal.
“I play the game because I love the game,” he said. “I’m going to have fun there and compete.”
