Since his skilled profession started a little bit over a yr 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,” a sequence produced by the G League. “If I bought 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 usually 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 finally 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 means of the primary 13 video games of the season earlier than being known as up by the Chicago Bulls in mid-December. Lots of 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 virtually precisely a yr 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 recognized 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, successful the 2021-22 Kia NBA G League Rookie of the 12 months award (earlier winners embrace Paul Reed, Quinn Cook dinner, Tim Frazier, and Robert Covington). In April, Los Angeles rewarded McClung with a two-way contract and introduced him up for the ultimate recreation of the common season. He capped a strong efficiency (and a Lakers victory) that night with a type of signature jaw-dropping dunks…
Regardless of a profitable, albeit hectic, rookie yr, and a powerful displaying on the 2022 Summer time League, McClung didn’t make a gap day roster. He turned down million-dollar affords from golf equipment abroad, as a substitute 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 numerous 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 prompt the bench; on others, he’s been the Blue Coats’ main playmaker, working the offense and facilitating for his teammates.
SLAM caught up with McClung throughout 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 % capturing), 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 function is for the workforce. We received, 2-0, that’s at all times nice. Want we had been within the winner’s bracket. However yeah, simply profit from it. Present that I can slot in in any scenario.
SLAM: How are you a unique 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 in case you’ve seen this yr, 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 folks discover that and see that I can adapt to any scenario.
SLAM: Is there something particular that you just labored on this summer season?
MM: Actually simply movie work on persistence. When your minutes get reduce or one thing, folks usually wish to drive issues. I form of discovered to [hold] that again and likewise simply play the sport the precise means it doesn’t matter what the scenario is, which sounds straightforward but it surely’s tougher than it sounds.
SLAM: Are you able to sum up what this previous yr 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, in case you let it’s. That’s one factor I used to be speaking to my mother and father about. Should you let success decide your happiness, it’ll simply be a rollercoaster, as a substitute of simply shopping for into every day and the method. That’s one factor I’ve carried out. And I’m doing what I like daily. 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: Should you take a look at the entire scenario, I’ve modified a number of groups. Different groups picked me up. Right here, in [Las Vegas] Summer time League, I ended up with the Warriors, after I began with the Lakers. It’s simply with the ability to adapt, man. That’s simply the League. You’ve bought to regulate what you’ll be able to. I can’t management what workforce I’m taking part in on or if somebody needs to offer me a possibility. I simply at all times keep prepared.
SLAM: Are you able to describe your thought course of whenever you had been deciding whether or not to rejoin the G League or signal with a workforce abroad?
MM: I’ll shout out my greatest good friend, Zac Ervin. I used to be supplied fairly a bit of cash to go abroad—like, in all probability I might change my life with that cash. I at all times inform myself I’m going to stay it by means of till I make it [to the NBA], as a result of I consider in myself. And also you get supplied that stuff and also you’re like, Oh, man. That modifications. However my boy Zac was like, “Man, that’s not who you might be.” As a result of we labored out daily from seventh grade to senior yr. 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 transient expertise within the NBA final yr helpful? What did you are taking away from it?
MM: It’s good simply seeing it and studying. I feel that’s the largest factor—expertise. On the subject of rising, folks speak about, you’ll be able to work on sure issues, however expertise is so invaluable, man. Being there earlier than is efficacious. I bought to the touch the NBA a little bit bit and I bought these nerves out, these jitters, and I bought to see what it’s about. And I’m prepared each time 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 indicate. I’m numerous. Should you want me to come back and be a degree guard off the bench and get others concerned, I can try this. Should you 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 means you need me to.
SLAM: What’s the largest false impression about your recreation?
MM: Once I was in school, I wasn’t a lot of a degree guard. However I feel in case 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: Individuals simply don’t perceive how lonely it’s, I don’t suppose. It’s not straightforward. Andre Ingram advised me, “Each 5 days, one thing modifications.” 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 may come after I maintain engaged on every day, making an attempt to develop every day.
Pictures by way of Getty Photos.
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