Mac McClung recently defended his slam dunk title at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. This was his second consecutive slam dunk win. McClung, though clearly a top G League player, is looking to gain more recognition from NBA scouts and decision makers.
His return to the NBA All-Star Weekend and defense of his title gives him an opportunity to reintroduce himself to the basketball community. McClung, who currently plays for the Osceola Magic, had previously been a YouTube sensation. The slam dunk competition, watched by millions of people, is seen as a great platform to display his skills and personality.
McClung became the first G League player invited to the NBA’s slam dunk contest last season. His participation in the contest increased his visibility to top brands interested in partnering with him. McClung, already having had few sponsorship agreements, gained more due to this exposure, signing deals with companies such as AT&T, Puma, and Panini America. He has revealed plans to wear Puma’s All-Pro NITRO Showtime during this year’s event, after recently extending his contract with the apparel company.
McClung is mindful of the partnerships he forms, saying he looks for deals that come naturally. He insists that his primary focus is on getting back to the NBA. McClung, who has gained half a billion views on NBA social platforms within 12 hours after last year’s event, is currently the G League’s fourth leading scorer.
The G League champ has stayed away from becoming a basketball influencer, despite having online videos with millions of views. However, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of becoming a content creator in the future. McClung is open to the idea of entertaining his 1.2 million Instagram followers differently, at a later date.
In the meantime, McClung will continue to focus on defending his title and proving his worthiness for the NBA. He appreciates the attention and is grateful to the brands that want to align with him. “I play the game because I love it,” he said, making it clear that his ultimate goal is to get back to the NBA.
Source: Mac McClung Defends Slam Dunk Title as Marketing Profile Grows.
