Mac McClung to be first G League player in NBA Slam Dunk Contest

The third participant confirmed to be taking part in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest in Salt Lake City next month isn’t an NBA player, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link), who reports that G League guard Mac McClung accepted an invitation to the event.

Assuming he doesn’t get called up to the NBA within the next month or so, McClung will be the first G League player to compete in the dunk contest, according to Charania. The 24-year-old is currently playing for the Delaware Blue Coats, the Sixers‘ NBAGL affiliate.

McClung does have a little NBA experience, signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the Bulls in 2021-22 and then a two-way contract with the Lakers during the final days of the regular season. The 6-foot-2 guard appeared in one game for each team and finished off the Lakers’ season by emphatically throwing down a double-clutch reverse dunk (YouTube video link).

The Warriors signed McClung to a training camp deal this past summer but waived him during the preseason.

McClung joins Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe and Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. as the dunk contest participants who have been reported so far. The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 18 in Utah.