There’s something curious about watching a player soar through the air for a perfect 50-point dunk and then sitting on an NBA bench for most of the season — Mac McClung has won three consecutive Slam Dunk Contests, yet he remains on a two‑way contract, spending more time in the G League than in the NBA.
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Weight: 185 lb (84 kg) ·
Age: 27 (born January 6, 1999) ·
NBA Draft Status: Undrafted (2021) ·
Current Team: Chicago Bulls (Two‑Way Contract) ·
Slam Dunk Contest Wins: 3 (2023, 2024, 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Exact total career earnings from NBA contracts
- Exact total career earnings from endorsements
- Whether he will ever secure a standard NBA roster spot
- Future dunk contest participation beyond 2025
- 2021: Undrafted; signs two‑way with Bulls (Spotrac)
- 2023: First Dunk Contest win (NBA via YouTube)
- 2025: Third straight win; re‑signs with Bulls on two‑way (ESPN)
Eight facts that define McClung’s career arc, from college to the G League to the All‑Star spotlight.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mac McClung |
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1999 |
| Height / Weight | 6 ft 2 in / 185 lb |
| Position | Point Guard / Shooting Guard |
| College | Texas Tech |
| NBA Draft | Undrafted (2021) |
| Current Team | Chicago Bulls (Two‑Way) |
| Slam Dunk Contest Wins | 3 (2023, 2024, 2025) |
The pattern: elite dunk contest résumé, but a draft‑day slide and a steady stream of two‑way deals.
Why is Mac McClung not in the NBA?
Undrafted Status and Limited NBA Opportunities
- McClung went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft after three seasons at Texas Tech (Wikipedia).
- He was not selected in part because of concerns about his size and the crowded guard market.
- Since then, he has signed only two‑way contracts, which cap NBA service days at 45 per season (Front Office Sports).
The implication: being undrafted put McClung on a path where he has to prove himself nightly in the G League just to get a few NBA call‑ups.
Two‑Way Contract Restrictions
- A two‑way contract pays half of a rookie minimum salary — $578,577 for the 2024‑25 season (Front Office Sports).
- McClung’s current two‑way with the Chicago Bulls is worth $245,064 for the remainder of the 2025 season (Spotrac).
- He can spend a maximum of 45 days with the NBA team; the rest of the season is with the G League affiliate (Front Office Sports).
McClung’s three dunk‑contest wins earned him $310,000 — more than his guaranteed NBA salary from all his two‑way contracts combined (Front Office Sports). The contest money is a financial lifeline, but it doesn’t change the roster math.
The pattern: elite performance in one skill does not guarantee a roster spot.
Does Mac McClung have an NBA contract?
Current Two‑Way Contract with the Chicago Bulls
- In February 2025, McClung signed a two‑way contract with the Chicago Bulls, according to Spotrac.
- The deal runs through the 2025 season, after which McClung becomes a free agent in 2026.
- He is listed as a guard for the Osceola Magic, the Bulls’ G League affiliate, when not with the NBA team (CNN).
Previous NBA Contracts
- McClung has held two‑way deals with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers (Front Office Sports).
- An ESPN report noted that his two‑way contract with Philadelphia allowed him to split time between the G League and the NBA (ESPN).
What this means: McClung has never been offered a standard NBA roster spot. Every team sees him as a G League asset with occasional NBA use, not a rotation player.
Did Mac McClung ever play in the NBA?
Regular Season Appearances
- McClung made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls in the 2021–22 season (Wikipedia).
- As of March 2025, he has appeared in fewer than 100 career NBA games (ESPN).
- His playing time is limited by the two‑way contract’s 45‑day cap and the Bulls’ depth at guard.
Playoff Experience
- McClung has not played in an NBA playoff game.
- His G League teams have reached the postseason, but NBA playoff rosters rarely include two‑way players.
The catch: McClung has NBA experience, but it’s the kind that barely registers on a stat sheet. He’s a familiar face in warm‑ups, not a regular in the rotation.
How much did Mac McClung make from the dunk contest?
Dunk Contest Prize Money
- Each NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner typically receives a $100,000 prize, but McClung’s 2025 win included a $105,000 payout (Front Office Sports).
- He scored 50 on both dunks in the final round of the 2025 contest (NBA via YouTube).
- His total dunk‑contest winnings across three years reached $310,000 (Front Office Sports).
Impact on Total Earnings
- Front Office Sports reported that $310,000 in contest winnings exceeded McClung’s guaranteed career NBA earnings from all his two‑way contracts (Front Office Sports).
- His two‑way salary for the 2024‑25 season was $578,577, but only a portion of that is guaranteed (Front Office Sports).
Why this matters: McClung’s dunk‑contest earnings have nearly tripled his on‑court NBA salary. The contests are not just a showcase — they’re a significant source of income for a player who hasn’t landed a standard contract.
What is Mac McClung’s height and position?
Physical Measurements
- McClung is listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 185 lb (84 kg) (Wikipedia).
- His height is below average for an NBA shooting guard, where most players are 6 ft 4 in or taller.
Primary and Secondary Positions
- He plays primarily as a point guard and shooting guard (Wikipedia).
- His size makes him a defensive liability against taller guards, which limits his minutes in the NBA.
The pattern: McClung is an undersized off‑guard in a league that prizes length. His leaping ability is elite, but it doesn’t compensate for the height disadvantage in defensive matchups.
Timeline
- 2020–2021: Plays college basketball at Texas Tech; declares for NBA Draft.
- July 2021: Goes undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft (Wikipedia).
- 2021–2022: Signs two‑way contract with the Chicago Bulls; makes NBA debut (Spotrac).
- 2022–2023: Joins the Delaware Blue Coats (G League); signs with Philadelphia 76ers on a two‑way (Front Office Sports).
- February 2023: Wins first NBA Slam Dunk Contest at All‑Star Weekend (NBA via YouTube).
- February 2024: Wins second consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contest (ESPN).
- February 2025: Wins third straight NBA Slam Dunk Contest; re‑signs with Chicago Bulls on a two‑way contract (ESPN).
- Current (2025): Splits time between Bulls and G League affiliate; remains outside regular NBA rotation (CNN).
The timeline shows a clear pattern: dunk contest success without NBA breakthrough.
Clarity: What’s Known vs. What’s Not
Confirmed facts
- Mac McClung went undrafted in 2021 (Wikipedia).
- He has won three NBA Slam Dunk Contests (2023, 2024, 2025) (ESPN).
- He is currently under a two‑way contract with the Chicago Bulls (Spotrac).
- Dunk contest prize money is $100,000–$105,000 per win (Front Office Sports).
What’s unclear
- Exact total career earnings from NBA contracts.
- Exact total career earnings from endorsements.
- Whether he will ever secure a standard NBA roster spot.
- Future dunk contest participation beyond 2025.
The balance of clarity leans toward confirmed facts, but key uncertainties remain.
Quotes
McClung became the first player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest three consecutive years in 2025.
— CNN (source)
McClung’s total dunk‑contest winnings have reached $310,000, eclipsing his guaranteed career NBA earnings.
— Front Office Sports (source)
McClung was on a two‑way contract with Philadelphia, allowing him to split time between the G League and the NBA.
— ESPN (source)
Memorable quotes from analysts and insiders underscore the paradox: a three‑time dunk champion who can’t crack a standard NBA rotation. For the Bulls front office, the decision is clear: keep McClung as a G League star and occasional fan‑favorite call‑up, or risk losing a proven entertainer who could boost ticket sales on All‑Star weekend. The trade‑off is between roster utility and marketing value — and so far, the math favors the two‑way deal.
essentiallysports.com, frontofficesports.com, salaryswish.com, reddit.com, fantasyteamadvice.com, si.com, frontofficesports.com
Despite his three-peat dunk contest wins, Mac McClung remains on a two-way contract, a paradox explored in detail in our article on Mac McClungs G League dominance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mac McClung’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly confirmed, but his career NBA earnings from two‑way contracts and dunk contest prizes total roughly $1.5 million, per estimates.
How many NBA teams has Mac McClung played for?
He has been on the rosters of the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors, all on two‑way deals.
Is Mac McClung in the NBA in 2025?
Yes, he is on a two‑way contract with the Chicago Bulls, splitting time between the NBA and G League.
What is Mac McClung’s vertical leap?
His vertical leap is not officially published, but his dunk contest performances suggest an elite vertical, likely exceeding 40 inches.
How tall is Mac McClung compared to other NBA players?
At 6 ft 2 in, he is below the average height for NBA guards, which contributes to his limited playing time.
Has Mac McClung ever scored in an NBA game?
Yes, he has scored in regular‑season games, but his career averages are low due to limited minutes.
Why does Mac McClung wear number 37?
The number 37 has no official backstory; it is a personal choice.
What G League team does Mac McClung play for?
He is assigned to the Osceola Magic, the Chicago Bulls’ G League affiliate.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Toronto Post, covering breaking Canadian news, municipal affairs and community stories.