NBA
Mac McClung’s NBA Status: Is He in the League?
McClung is now contracted to the Orlando Magic on a two-way deal. This means that he can be assigned to play in the NBA or the G League.
Mac McClung//Getty images
After playing his college basketball at Georgetown and Texas Tech, McClung went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has since made only four NBA regular season appearances – one for the Chicago Bulls, one for the Los Angeles Lakers and then two for the Philadelphia 76ers.
McClung is now contracted to the Orlando Magic on a two-way deal. This means that he can be assigned to play in the NBA or the G League, where the franchise affiliate Osceola Magic play and his salary will be determined by where he is playing.
Who is Mac McClung?
Mac McClung is an American professional basketball player known for his athleticism – particularly his dunking ability. He gained widespread attention for his viral high school tapes, showcasing his leaping ability and exciting playstyle. McClung played his first two college basketball seasons at Georgetown University and later transferred to Texas Tech University.
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, McClung signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for Summer League and G League opportunities, bouncing between the NBA and its developmental league. He has been on the books of the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, while spending most of his time with G League affiliates. Currently, he is with the Orlando Magic on a two-way contract after joining them in 2024.
One of McClung’s career highlights came when he won the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the first G League player to ever participate and win the competition. His victory further solidified his reputation as one of the best dunkers in basketball and he went on to repeat the feat the following year.
Mac McClung dunks the ball//Getty Images
McClung’s tenacity, work ethic, and fan appeal have made him a beloved figure despite not yet becoming a household name in the NBA.
Apart from McClung, only Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson and Zach LaVine have won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest twice back-to-back.
Mac McClung’s NBA regular season history
| Team | Season | Games played |
| Chicago Bulls | 2021-22 | 1 |
| LA Lakers | 2021-22 | 1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2022-23 | 2 |
Where is Mac McClung playing basketball?
McClung is currently on a two-way deal with the Orlando Magic, which was upgraded from an Exhibit 10 deal on 19 October. His previous deal would have allowed them to waive him with no cap penalty, but he impressed enough to have his contract upgraded.
Last season, McClung was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Osceola Magic – the Orlando Magic’s affiliate in the G League, the NBA’s developmental league.
After averaging 25.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 27 games in the G League last season and scoring 30 or more points in eight of them, the future looks bright for the 25-year-old. It is unclear how much NBA regular season playing time he will receive this season, but he has arguably his best opportunity yet to make his mark.
Leonard Solms is a freelance journalist who has been covering local and international sport from South Africa since 2015. Best known for his work for ESPN, he has also written for Al Jazeera, The Continent, New Frame, Planet Rugby and GiveMeSport among several other publications.