Mac McClung secured his second consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contest title, turning the event into a memorable spectacle on Saturday night. The high-flying guard, known for his explosive dunks, took the competition to a new level by involving basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal in his final dunk, which ultimately clinched his victory.
McClung, who competes for Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Osceola Magic, asked O’Neal to don his old high school jersey, a move that added a personal touch to the contest.
With O’Neal standing tall at 7ft 1in, McClung executed a flawless leap over the Hall of Famer, grabbing the ball from his hands mid-air and completing the dunk to the astonishment of spectators and judges alike.
This high-stakes performance earned McClung five perfect scores, securing his victory with a total of 98.8 points on his last two dunks. Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown was a close second, finishing with 97.8 points.
Reflecting on the moment, McClung expressed his gratitude towards O’Neal, saying, “Shaq was so cool to put that high school jersey on, man, it almost made me emotional that he would do that.”
The successful dunk on his first attempt not only showcased McClung’s dunking prowess but also reinforced the spirit of camaraderie and respect among athletes.
McClung’s victory places him among the elite, becoming the sixth player to win two or more Dunk Contest titles and the first to secure back-to-back titles since Zach LaVine in 2015 and 2016. The feat has sparked conversations about the possibility of McClung aiming for an unprecedented third straight title next year, a challenge he is yet to decide on.
The evening also paid homage to basketball talents and legacies, with Jaylen Brown dedicating his performance to the late Terrence Clark, a promising young player whose life was tragically cut short. Brown’s tribute and McClung’s nostalgic leap over O’Neal exemplified the depth of stories and emotions that underpin the NBA’s showcase events.
In addition to the dunk contest, the three-point contest saw Damian Lillard, star of the Milwaukee Bucks, defend his title with a final round score of 26 points. Lillard’s victory underscored the competitive nature of the event, as he became the eighth player to win at least two three-point crowns and the first to achieve this feat in consecutive years since Jason Kapono in 2007 and 2008.
