In the modern NBA, the Slam Dunk contest has faced endless criticism for various reasons. Following another lackluster event, one former star sounded off on current players for excluding a high-profile participant.
Similar to recent years, the dunk contest lacked big names to make it the draw it once was. It primarily featured young players still trying to forge their own paths in the NBA, such as Jase Richardson, Carter Bryant, and Keshad Johnson. Gilbert Arenas believes the league could have brought back a familiar face to create more interest, but the idea was met with backlash.
Gilbert Arenas Blasts NBA Players For Not Wanting Mac McClung in The 2026 Dunk Contest
Though he isn’t a big name in terms of the NBA landscape, Mac McClung has still managed to etch his name in the history books. While he continues to bounce around the league in hopes of finding a long-term home, the hyper-athletic guard always has fans buzzing around All-Star weekend.
McClung has shone in the dunk contest in recent years with his jaw-dropping leaping ability. Last year, he tied Nate Robinson as the only players in history to win the event three times. However, McClung’s feat is more impressive in that he did it in consecutive years.
During a recent livestream with his “Gil’s Arena” co-hosts, Arenas weighed in on McClung not having the opportunity to win for a fourth-straight time. He blamed the players for not getting a chance to, citing that they threatened to withdraw from the event if he added to the fray.
“That’s not the NBA that’s the players,” Arenas said. “They were scared that he was gonna win it again so they said if he’s in it we’re not gonna participate. Which is coward of you guys. Whoever said they wouldn’t compete if he was in it.”
Gilbert Arenas says the players in the dunk contest were scared that Mac McClung was going to win it again
“It wasn’t the NBA that didn’t want him to be in it. It was the players, they said they didn’t want to participate if Mac was in it. That is coward of you guys”
(Via… pic.twitter.com/9uoq4SSFO6
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 17, 2026
Aside from Arenas’ comments, it doesn’t appear McClung had any interest in competing in the dunk contest again. During a recent interview with ESPN, he talked about putting that chapter of his story behind him. Instead, he is putting all his energy into securing a long-term spot on an NBA roster.
McClung continues his NBA quest by finishing out the season with the Chicago Bulls on a two-way contract.
