Until five days ago, Mack McClung wasn't even an NBA player.
He played in the development league, after not being selected in the 2021 draft, and just last week he joined the Philadelphia Sixers' roster - after being invited to the All-Star draft competition.
McClung, only 1.88, became famous back in his time as a college player, following viral videos of him rising to great heights and dunking.
Tonight (Sunday) he stunned everyone in the dunk contest in the NBA All-Star game when he delivered four spectacular performances, including three perfect ones in which he received a round 50 score, and won the title.
He became the shortest player to do so, after Nate Robinson.
MAC MCCLUNG HITS THE 540. PERFECT SCORE.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME. #ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday
📺: Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/ohSyYpMAq6
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
"It's crazy that they invited a player from the development league to the competition. I don't want to offend, and Mack is an exceptional athlete, but what are we trying to do?", Kevin Durant wondered about the league's decision to invite a player who does not play in the NBA for the first time.
But it seems that the new coordinator of the Sixers answered him in a big way tonight, when the stars of the best league in the world declared one after the other: "He saved the dunk contest."
The stunned McClang said after the competition: "I knew there would be criticism, but I didn't invite myself. My agent was contacted, and of course I was immediately enthusiastic."
He is currently signed to a two-way contract in Philadelphia, and even secured a sponsorship deal with the Puma company that did not remain indifferent to the insane ability he displayed in the competition.
Although in the 2021 season he was chosen as Rookie of the Year in the Development League, it is not at all certain that McClang's ability as a player will keep him in the league for a long time.
That's becoming his goal right now, but even if he doesn't make it, his 2023 All-Star night won't take away from him.
McClang receives the new trophy, photo: AFP
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