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Mac McClung
McClung with Texas Tech in 2021
No. 8 – Orlando Magic
PositionPoint guard / shooting guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1999-01-06) January 6, 1999 (age 25)
Gate City, Virginia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High schoolGate City (Gate City, Virginia)
College
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021South Bay Lakers
2021–2022Chicago Bulls
2022→Windy City Bulls
2022South Bay Lakers
2022Los Angeles Lakers
2022–2023Delaware Blue Coats
2023Philadelphia 76ers
2023→Delaware Blue Coats
2023–2024Osceola Magic
2024–presentOrlando Magic
2024–present→Osceola Magic
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Matthew Ford "Mac" McClung[1] (born January 6, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He was a consensus three-star recruit and among the highest-ranked high school players in Virginia. He is a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, just one win away from the record of three held by Nate Robinson.

McClung went unselected in the 2021 NBA draft and spent time during the 2021–22 season with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. With the South Bay Lakers of the G League, he won the 2021–22 NBA G League Rookie of the Year award. McClung joined the Blue Coats for the 2022–23 season and signed with the 76ers in February 2023. He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest at both the 2023 NBA All-Star Game and the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. He earned the 2024 NBA G League Most Valuable Player Award.

Early life

McClung grew up in Gate City, Virginia, a small town of about 2,000 in the Tri-Cities metropolitan area straddling the Tennessee–Virginia border, where he initially began playing football—a sport that is far more popular than basketball in Southwest Virginia.[2] Family members recalled in a 2018 interview that McClung was extraordinarily competitive as a child. His father Marcus said of him, "Mac was just born with it. If you’re fixing a bowl of cereal, he’s going to make a competition." His older sister Anna would add, "He would just come at you every day, no matter how small he was." His parents built a basement gym in their home, initially for Anna, but Mac would regularly use it as he grew up—though he was so competitive that his father would frequently ban him from the gym to allow Anna to work out undisturbed.[3]

He received his first significant exposure to basketball just before entering the seventh grade, when his mother Lenoir signed him up for a local youth league. Scott Vermillion, who was McClung's coach at Gate City High School, recalled in 2018, "He ducked his head inside for a minute and basically never left."[3] McClung soon became more interested in basketball and began training for the sport regularly, with hopes of making the National Basketball Association (NBA),[4] and his father was silently pleased when he gave up football after his freshman year of high school.[3] According to McClung, his shooting form improved after he broke his arm while snowboarding in eighth grade, and he honed the skill with Greg Ervin, the former head coach at Gate City High.[5]

High school career

McClung first started dunking as a sophomore playing varsity basketball at Gate City High School.[4] He grew in profile as an acrobatic dunker through the rest of his high school career. MaxPreps labeled him "one of nation's most exciting players."[6] As a junior, on February 24, 2017, he scored a career-high 64 points in a loss to Dan River High School at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Region 2A West tournament.[7] It was the best scoring performance in school history and the highest among Virginia public schools since 1984.[8] After the season, he was averaging 29 points, 5.5 assists and three steals per game for the Blue Devils and was tabbed Southwest Virginia Boys' Basketball Player of the Year by the Bristol Herald Courier.[5] In the summer, he committed to play for Rutgers in college.[9]

On December 12, McClung made his senior debut by scoring 47 points, shooting 18-of-23, in a 96–43 win over Lee High School.[6] Among those in attendance was Georgetown head coach Patrick Ewing.[10] On January 11, 2018, after opposing coach James Schooler reportedly told him "you're going to Georgetown to sit," McClung scored 44 points against Fern Creek High School of Louisville, Kentucky at the Arby's Classic tournament in Bristol, Tennessee.[11] McClung broke the VHSL single-season scoring record previously held by Hall of Famer Allen Iverson during the 2018 VHSL regional playoffs on February 21, surpassing Iverson's record of 948 points in 25 games—five fewer than it took Iverson to amass the previous record.[2] He ended his high school career with Gate City's first state championship, scoring 47 points in an 80–65 title-game win over Staunton's Robert E. Lee High. The 47 points broke a VHSL all-classes scoring record for a championship game that had been held by former NBA player JJ Redick.[12] McClung finished the season with 1,153 points and 2,801 for his career, also a VHSL all-classes record, and was again named Southwest Virginia Player of the Year by the Herald Courier.[13] He won the slam dunk contest at the Ballislife All-American Game.[14]

Recruiting

Prior to his final high school season, on October 6, 2017, McClung decommitted from Rutgers.[15] Over one week later, he committed to Georgetown.[16]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Mac McClung
PG 		Gate City, VA Gate City (VA) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Oct 15, 2017 
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars   ESPN grade: 79
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: —  247Sports: 235  ESPN: —
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Georgetown 2018 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  • "2018 Georgetown Hoyas Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.

College career

Georgetown (2018–2020)

On December 22, 2018, McClung scored a freshman season-high 38 points for Georgetown in a 102–94 victory over Little Rock.[17] As a freshman, he averaged 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and two assists per game, leading Big East Conference freshmen in scoring. McClung was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team.[18] In February 2020, during his sophomore season, he missed several games with a foot injury.[19] McClung only played 21 games due to the injury, averaging 15.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 27 minutes per game as a sophomore. After the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft and signed with an NCAA-certified agent to maintain his collegiate eligibility.[20] On May 13, he withdrew from the draft and entered the NCAA transfer portal.[21]

Texas Tech (2020–2021)

On May 27, 2020, McClung left Georgetown and announced that he would transfer to Texas Tech.[22] He was granted a waiver for immediate eligibility on October 30.[23] In his Texas Tech debut on November 25, McClung scored 20 points in a 101–58 win against Northwestern State.[24] As a junior, he averaged 15.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

McClung entered the transfer portal again in April 2021 while simultaneously declaring for the 2021 NBA draft.[25] In May 2021, McClung confirmed via Twitter that he would remain in the draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility.[26]

Professional career

South Bay Lakers (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, McClung joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2021 NBA Summer League,[27] and signed afterward with the team on August 10, 2021.[28] However, he was waived on October 13.[29] On October 23, 2021, he signed with the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League, the affiliate team of the Los Angeles Lakers. McClung's debut with South Bay consisted of a game-high 24 points, nine assists and six rebounds in a 112–105 victory over the NBA G League Ignite on November 5, 2021.[30]

Chicago / Windy City Bulls (2021–2022)

On December 22, 2021, McClung signed a 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls.[31] He signed a second 10-day contract with them on January 1, 2022.[32] On January 4, 2022, the Chicago Bulls assigned McClung to their NBA G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.[33] McClung debuted the next night, scoring 19 points and adding nine assists in a 112–108 loss to the Motor City Cruise. On January 6, 2022, McClung was recalled to the main roster.[34]

Return to South Bay (2022)

On January 11, 2022, after his 10-day contracts expired, McClung was reacquired by the South Bay Lakers.[35] He was named the 2021–22 G League Rookie of the Year.[36][37]

Los Angeles Lakers (2022)

On April 9, 2022, McClung signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[37][38] On June 29, Los Angeles declined his $1.62 million qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.[39][40] He joined the Lakers for the California Classic in the 2022 NBA Summer League.[41]

After playing two games for the Lakers' summer league team, McClung joined the Golden State Warriors' summer squad.[41] On July 22, 2022, McClung signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Warriors.[42] On October 3, McClung was released by the Warriors.[43]

Delaware Blue Coats / Philadelphia 76ers (2022–2023)

On October 9, 2022, the Philadelphia 76ers signed McClung to an Exhibit 10 contract before waiving him a day later.[44][45] He later joined the NBA G League's Delaware Blue Coats for the 2022–23 season[46] and accepted an invitation to the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, becoming not only the first G League player to participate in the event, but also to win it.[47][48] Later that season, he was named to the G League's inaugural Next Up Game.[49]

On February 14, 2023, McClung signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.[50] and on February 18, he won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest; 19 out of his 20 scores from the judges were a perfect 50, with a lone 49 in his second dunk of the first round.[51] On April 7, he won the NBA G League title with the Blue Coats.[52]

On April 9, 2023, in Philadelphia's last game of the regular season, McClung recorded a near-triple-double with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists to help the 76ers defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 134–105.[53]

Orlando / Osceola Magic (2023–present)

On September 13, 2023, McClung signed with the Orlando Magic[54] but was waived on October 21.[55] On November 2, he joined the Osceola Magic.[56] On February 17, 2024, McClung won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the second consecutive year, joining Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson and Zach LaVine as the only players to win back-to-back contests. On April 5, he was named NBA G League Most Valuable Player after averaging 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 27 games while scoring 30-plus points in eight of them.[57]

On September 20, 2024, McClung re-signed with the Orlando Magic[58] and on October 19, his Exhibit 10 contract was converted into a two-way contract.[59][60]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Chicago 1 0 3.0 1.000 — — .0 .0 .0 .0 2.0
L.A. Lakers 1 0 22.0 .400 .333 1.000 3.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 6.0
2022–23 Philadelphia 2 0 20.5 .450 .364 .600 5.0 4.5 .0 .0 12.5
Career 4 0 16.5 .462 .357 .667 3.3 2.5 .3 .3 8.3

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Georgetown 29 29 26.4 .392 .277 .798 2.6 2.0 .8 .1 13.1
2019–20 Georgetown 21 20 26.8 .394 .323 .802 3.1 2.4 1.4 .2 15.7
2020–21 Texas Tech 29 29 30.2 .419 .343 .793 2.7 2.1 .8 .3 15.5
Career 79 78 27.9 .403 .313 .797 2.8 2.2 1.0 .2 14.7

Personal life

McClung is the son of Marcus McClung and Lenoir McClung. During his birth, his umbilical cord was tightly wrapped around his neck; his father recalled, "He was blue as a Smurf." The attending physicians quickly freed him, and he almost immediately recovered.[3] His parents met at Virginia Tech, where Marcus played football[61][62] and Lenoir was a cheerleader.[3] His father became an attorney, serving as Commonwealth Attorney for Scott County, Virginia as of 2018,[2][3] while his mother was teaching driver's education at Gate City High.[3] According to a 2018 story in The Washington Post, as well as a story in The Undefeated, his parents' background aided McClung in his athletic pursuits. His father served as trainer for much of his youth, and the family was able to afford placing him on a Richmond-based AAU travel team.[2]

His sister Anna, who completed her high school soccer career as the VHSL's all-time goal scoring leader,[3] played the sport at Florida State and Tennessee, and his uncle Seth competed with two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. His aunts Correne and Collette both played Division I college hockey; Correne also played with the Canadian national team. Although Houston rapper Riff Raff originally claimed that he is Mac McClung's cousin by way of their mothers being sisters, this has been denied by Mac McClung in an interview.[63]

References

  1. ^ "Hoyas Sign Three to National Letters of Intent". GUHoyas.com (Press release). Georgetown Hoyas. November 13, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Wallace, Ava (March 1, 2018). "Country Star". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Palmer, Chris (July 13, 2018). "Georgetown Freshman Mac McClung Is Electrifying, Dynamic – and White". Andscape.com. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Hazan, Danny (July 21, 2017). "Arrival of the Mac". SLAM. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Hayes, Tim (April 9, 2017). "Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Gate City's Mac McClung". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Ostrander, Lynden (December 15, 2017). "Georgetown-bound Mac McClung is one of nation's most exciting players". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Hayes, Tim (February 24, 2017). "McClung's 64 points not enough for Gate City in Region 2A West boys semis". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  8. ^ Tichenor, Alex (February 23, 2017). "Dan River overcomes McClung's 64-point night, downs Gate City to advance to region final". Danville Register & Bee. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  9. ^ Agnoli, Matt (August 3, 2017). "2018 point guard Mac McClung commits to Rutgers hoops". 247Sports.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  10. ^ Goetz, Casey (December 12, 2017). "Patrick Ewing watches Gate City's Mac McClung score 47 points". WCYB-TV. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  11. ^ Smith, Cam (January 11, 2018). "Opposing coach told Mac McClung: 'You're going to Georgetown to sit.' Then McClung scored 44". USATodayHighSchoolSports.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  12. ^ "Mac McClung drops 47, leads Gate City to first state title". USA Today. March 10, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  13. ^ Hayes, Tim (April 8, 2018). "Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Gate City senior Mac McClung". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  14. ^ Smith, Cam (May 7, 2018). "Video: Mac McClung won the BallisLife All-America Game Slam Dunk Contest, and that was just the beginning". USA Today. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  15. ^ Breitman, Aaron (October 6, 2017). "3-Star Point Guard Mac McClung Decommits From Rutgers Basketball". OnTheBanks.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  16. ^ Snow, Brian (October 15, 2017). "Georgetown lands athletic guard". Scout.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  17. ^ "Little Rock at Georgetown Box Score, Dec 22, 2018". GUHoyas.com. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  18. ^ "Govan Named All-Big East First Team; Akinjo, LeBlanc and McClung to All-Freshman Team". GUHoyas.com. March 10, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  19. ^ Curran, Aidan (February 9, 2020). "With Blair Improving, What Do The Hoyas Do When McClung Returns?". 247 Sports. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  20. ^ Givony, Jonathan (March 29, 2020). "Georgetown's Mac McClung to test draft waters". ESPN. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  21. ^ Givony, Jonathan (May 13, 2020). "Georgetown's Mac McClung to withdraw from NBA draft process, enter transfer portal". ESPN. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  22. ^ Boone, Kyle (May 27, 2020). "Mac McClung transfer: Former Georgetown guard chooses Texas Tech as destination". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  23. ^ Borzello, Jeff (October 30, 2020). "Texas Tech guard Mac McClung receives waiver to play basketball immediately". ESPN. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  24. ^ "No. 14 Texas Tech opens with 101–58 win over Northwestern St". ESPN. November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  25. ^ Borzello, Jeff (April 11, 2021). "Mac McClung leaving Texas Tech, to test NBA draft, transfer portal". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  26. ^ Givony, Jonathan (May 17, 2021). "Texas Tech guard Mac McClung to sign with agent, remain in NBA draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  27. ^ "Lakers Announce 2021 Summer League Roster". NBA.com. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  28. ^ "Lakers Sign Chaundee Brown Jr. and Mac McClung". NBA.com. August 10, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  29. ^ "Lakers Waive Mac McClung". NBA.com. October 13, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  30. ^ Kioski, Nick (October 23, 2021). "South Bay Finalizes Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  31. ^ Hill, Arthur (December 22, 2021). "Bulls Sign Mac McClung To 10-Day Deal". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  32. ^ "Bulls' Mac McClung: Signs second 10-day contract". CBSSports.com. January 1, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  33. ^ "Bulls assign McClung to their G League team". Kingsport Times-News. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  34. ^ Mays, P. Kevin (January 6, 2022). "Bulls recall Gate City native McClung". Kingsport Times-News. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  35. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League transactions". NBA.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  36. ^ "South Bay Lakers' Mac McClung Named 2021-22 Kia NBA G League Rookie of the Year". NBA.com. April 9, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  37. ^ a b Kasabian, Paul (April 9, 2022). "Lakers Rumors: Mac McClung to Sign 2-Way Contract After G League Stint". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  38. ^ Los Angeles Lakers [@Lakers] (April 9, 2022). "OFFICIAL: The Lakers have signed @McclungMac to a two-way contract. McClung averaged 21.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists for the @SouthBayLakers this season" (Tweet). Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ "Mac McClung". Spotrac.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  40. ^ "2022 Free Agency: Options and qualifying offers". NBA.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  41. ^ a b Zafran, Zach (July 7, 2022). "Warriors add Lakers' G League Rookie of the Year Mac McClung to summer league roster". SFGate.com. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  42. ^ "Mac McClung and Golden State Warriors Agree to 1-Year Deal". Yahoo.com. July 21, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  43. ^ "Warriors Waive Mac McClung and Trevion Williams". NBA.com. October 3, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  44. ^ "Sixers signing Mac McClung to Exhibit-10 contract". libertyBallers.com. October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  45. ^ Gauruder, Dana (October 10, 2022). "Mac McClung Waived By Sixers". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  46. ^ Harris, Declan (November 4, 2022). "Delaware Blue Coats Announce 2022-23 Roster". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  47. ^ Maloney, Jack (February 18, 2023). "Who's in 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest? List of All-Star Weekend participants with big names in 3-point shootout". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  48. ^ Powell, Shaun (February 22, 2023). "Mac McClung steals the show, wins 2023 AT&T Slam Dunk". NBA.com. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  49. ^ "Wolves' Garza And Ignite's Henderson Named Captains For NBA G League Next Up Game". NBA.com. February 7, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  50. ^ "Mac McClung Signs Two-Way Contract with Philadelphia 76ers". NBA.com. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  51. ^ McGregor, Gilbert (February 18, 2023). "Who won the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest?". The Sporting News. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  52. ^ Levick, Noah (April 7, 2023). "Delaware Blue Coats win G League championship; Jaden Springer named Finals MVP". NBCSports.com. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  53. ^ DiGiovanni, Sam (April 9, 2023). "Sixers-Nets: Backups close out regular season ahead of playoff matchup". ClutchPoints.com. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  54. ^ "Orlando Magic Sign Free Agent Mac McClung". NBA.com. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  55. ^ "Orlando Magic Waive Mac McClung, Daeqwon Plowden and Brandon Williams". NBA.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  56. ^ "Training Camp Roster Just Dropped". NBA.com. November 2, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  57. ^ "Osceola Magic's Mac McClung Named 2023-24 Kia NBA G League Most Valuable Player". NBA.com. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  58. ^ "Orlando Magic Sign Free Agents Mac McClung, Javonte Smart and Ethan Thompson". NBA.com. September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  59. ^ "Orlando Magic Convert Contract of Mac McClung to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  60. ^ "Magic give dunk champ Mac McClung two-way contract". ESPN.com. Contributed by The Associated Press. October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  61. ^ Hunt, Toderrick (August 24, 2017). "Rutgers basketball commit Mac McClung has ties you won't believe, including 1 to a rapper". NJ.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  62. ^ "Mac McClung EXPOSED!! Viral Star Talks Allen Iverson, Riff Raff Relation, NBA Aspirations & More!!!". BallIsLife.com. May 17, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
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