Since his skilled profession started just a little over a 12 months in the past, Mac McClung has lived in 5 totally different cities and performed for six totally different groups. He’s jumped from one coast to the opposite, from the G League to the NBA, from a starter to a backup.
“It’s been loopy, however that’s how the sport goes,” McClung mentioned in an episode of “The Break,” an authentic sequence produced by the G League. “If I received to play for all 30 [teams] to make it, I’m going to play for all 30.”
Life on the fringes of the NBA is commonly a curler coaster. And even for a former highschool celebrity and social media sensation like McClung, the highlight doesn’t shine very vivid within the G. Nonetheless, the 6-2 guard out of Texas Tech has quietly been making massive strides.
After going undrafted in 2021, McClung ultimately landed with the South Bay Lakers, the affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 19.6 factors, 5.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals by the primary 13 video games of the season earlier than being known as up by the Chicago Bulls in mid-December. A whole bunch of gamers entered COVID-19 protocols that month, which led to an unprecedented variety of alternatives for G Leaguers. McClung signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls and made his NBA debut nearly precisely a 12 months in the past (2 factors in 3 minutes towards the Hawks). Chicago gave him a second 10-day, however McClung didn’t obtain any extra taking part in time, and returned to the South Bay Lakers in January.
First identified for his jaw-dropping dunks, the 23-year-old has proven his versatility as a professional. Again with South Bay, he averaged 21.6 factors, 7.5 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, profitable the 2021-22 Kia NBA G League Rookie 12 months award (earlier winners embrace Paul Reed, Quinn Prepare dinner, Tim Frazier, and Robert Covington). In April, Los Angeles rewarded McClung with a two-way contract and introduced him up for the ultimate sport of the common season. He capped a stable efficiency (and a Lakers victory) that night with a kind of signature jaw-dropping dunks…
Regardless of a profitable, albeit hectic, rookie 12 months, and a formidable displaying at 2022 Summer season League, McClung didn’t make a gap day roster. He turned down million-dollar affords from golf equipment abroad, as an alternative opting to rejoin the G League and maintain chasing his NBA dream. As a member of the Delaware Blue Coats, the affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, McClung has thrived in varied roles this season. He dropped a career-high 44 factors in November and notched his second profession triple-double (21 factors, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) shortly after. On some nights, he’s offered a much-needed scoring activate the bench; on others, he’s been the Blue Coats’ main playmaker, operating the offense and facilitating for his teammates.
SLAM caught up with McClung through the current G League Winter Showcase in Las Vegas. Delaware received each of their video games on the annual scouting occasion, with McClung averaging 12.5 factors (on 59 p.c taking pictures), 7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
SLAM: What was your mindset heading into the Showcase?
Mac McClung: Simply to profit from no matter my position is for the workforce. We received, 2-0, that’s at all times nice. Want we have been within the winner’s bracket. However yeah, simply profit from it. Present that I can slot in in any state of affairs.
SLAM: How are you a special participant this season in comparison with final season?
MM: I feel I simply grew to become higher at adapting to conditions. I really feel like should you’ve seen this 12 months, I’ve performed a number of totally different roles for this workforce. And I really feel like I’ve been a optimistic affect in every and hopefully individuals discover that and spot that I can adapt to any state of affairs.
SLAM: Is there something particular that you just labored on this summer time?
MM: Actually simply movie work on persistence. When your minutes get reduce or one thing, individuals usually wish to pressure issues. I sort of discovered to [hold] that again and likewise simply play the sport the fitting method it doesn’t matter what the state of affairs is, which sounds straightforward nevertheless it’s tougher than it sounds.
SLAM: Are you able to sum up what this previous 12 months has been like for you, with all of the motion up and down and to totally different groups/cities?
MM: It’s been a rollercoaster, should you let or not it’s. That’s one factor I used to be speaking to my mother and father about. If you happen to let success decide your happiness, it’ll simply be a rollercoaster, as an alternative of simply shopping for into every day and the method. That’s one factor I’ve finished. And I’m doing what I like day by day. Me getting higher each single day is my objective—not [moving] up and down [from the NBA]. So when I’ve that point, hopefully I can seize it.
SLAM: Any particular moments that encapsulate simply how chaotic final season was for you?
MM: If you happen to take a look at the entire state of affairs, I’ve modified a number of groups. Different groups picked me up. Right here, in [Las Vegas] Summer season League, I ended up with the Warriors, once I began with the Lakers. It’s simply with the ability to adapt, man. That’s simply the League. You’ve received to regulate what you’ll be able to. I can’t management what workforce I’m taking part in on or if somebody desires to provide me a possibility. I simply at all times keep prepared.
SLAM: Are you able to describe your thought course of if you have been deciding whether or not to rejoin the G League or signal with a workforce abroad?
MM: I’ll shout out my finest buddy, Zac Ervin. I used to be provided fairly a bit of cash to go abroad—like, most likely I might change my life with that cash. I at all times inform myself I’m going to stay it by till I make it [to the NBA], as a result of I consider in myself. And also you get provided that stuff and also you’re like, Oh, man. That adjustments. However my boy Zac was like, “Man, that’s not who you might be.” As a result of we labored out day by day from seventh grade to senior 12 months. Each single day. He was like, “Man, you weren’t within the gymnasium for that.” So I’m like, Rattling, that’s not who I’m. Let me get it whereas I’m right here.
SLAM: How was your temporary expertise within the NBA final 12 months helpful? What did you’re taking away from it?
MM: It’s good simply seeing it and studying. I feel that’s the largest factor—expertise. In terms of rising, individuals speak about, you’ll be able to work on sure issues, however expertise is so invaluable, man. Being there earlier than is effective. I received to the touch the NBA just a little bit and I received these nerves out, these jitters, and I received to see what it’s about. And I’m prepared at any time when my subsequent alternative comes.
SLAM: What are you able to present an NBA workforce proper now?
MM: A number of issues—that’s what I’m making an attempt to point out. I’m various. If you happen to want me to return and be a degree guard off the bench and get others concerned, I can try this. If you happen to want me to attain, I can rating. I’m going to be energetic—I’m going to be rebounding, diving on the ground, simply [providing] vitality in any method you need me to.
SLAM: What’s the largest false impression about your sport?
MM: After I was in faculty, I wasn’t a lot of a degree guard. However I feel should you watch these video games, I actually get my teammates concerned.
SLAM: What’s the largest false impression about life within the G League?
MM: Folks simply don’t perceive how lonely it’s, I don’t suppose. It’s not straightforward. Andre Ingram instructed me, “Each 5 days, one thing adjustments.” Within the G League, one thing is altering each 5 days.
SLAM: What are your general objectives for this season?
MM: Simply to continue to grow every day, man. I wish to play within the NBA. I consider I’m an NBA participant. However that can come once I maintain engaged on every day, making an attempt to develop every day.
Pictures through Getty Photos.
