Mac McClung continues to dominate the NBA Slam Dunk Contest like no other.
The 26-year-old guard secured his third consecutive title Saturday night in San Francisco, once again proving that when it comes to high-flying creativity, he has no equal.
Mac McClung’s heartfelt gesture
But it wasn’t just McClung’s record-setting performance during the All-Star Weekend that caught fans’ attention, it was what he did afterward.
Despite spending most of his professional career in the G-League with the Orlando Magic’s affiliate, the Osceola Magic, McClung has cemented himself as one of the greatest dunkers of all time.
His latest contest performance included four perfect-score dunks, one of which paid tribute to Blake Griffin’s iconic 2011 dunk over a car.
McClung, however, took it a step further, leaping over the vehicle’s highest point before finishing with a reverse slam.
The showstopping dunk wasn’t just a highlight, it was also a way for McClung to give back.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, McClung plans to donate the car he used in the contest to a foundation in his hometown of Gate City, Virginia.
The gesture instantly resonated with NBA fans, who took to social media to praise his generosity.
“The legend of Mac McClung grows,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Not only an elite dunker but a great dude.”
McClung’s modest salary compared to NBA stars
While McClung has yet to establish himself as a full-time NBA player, his dunk contest winnings have significantly outpaced his earnings from the league.
Each victory has come with a $100,000 prize, meaning he’s made more money from these contests than from his standard NBA contracts.
According to reports, his total career earnings from signed NBA deals sit at $132,101-far below what he’s won from dunking.
However, with multiple two-way contracts factored in, McClung’s total NBA salary is estimated to be over $1.5 million.
Despite his uncertain NBA future, McClung’s dunking prowess has kept him in the spotlight.
Past and present players, including Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, have taken notice, fueling speculation about whether more stars will join the contest to challenge him.
For now, though, McClung remains the undisputed king of dunking, both on the court and in the hearts of fans.
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