The 3-time Slam Dunk Contest Champion, Mac McClung, will not compete in this year’s event. Considering the standard of the dunk contest when he isn’t carrying the event by jumping over vehicles and other awe-inspiring feats for three straight years, it is a wonder what this year’s event will look like without him.
However, those who are disappointed that he isn’t competing this year, he does have something up his sleeve after the event, according to his social media.
McClung Stepping Away From NBA Dunk Contest After His Feats Carried The Event For Three Years
McClung, arguably the greatest competition dunker, is in the same breath as many of the prior titans of the event: Nate Robinson, Dwight Howard, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, and Vince Carter. He will be missed this year for sure.
However, according to an exchange he had on X with Chuck Millan, he still has something up his sleeve for after this year’s event. Quoting Millan’s tweet announcing that McClung, the three-time champion, will not be in this year’s competition, describing him as: “Arguably the best dunk contest dunker of all time.”
McClung replied, “But since we prepared for it Chuck, I’ll be releasing the dunks we came up with after the contest.” Depending on the quality of this year’s dunk contest, his dunks may actually overshadow it.
NBA Needs To Make Dunk Contest Appealing To Stars
Considering McClung has carried the event himself and arguably saved last year’s heavily criticized All-Star weekend, it’s anyone’s guess what the dunk contest will look like this year. Especially considering, for whatever reason, the league’s stars have avoided competing in the event over the recent years.
One of those stars who many hoped would take part this year, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe, said he would decline the invitation if offered, in his blunt exchange with local reporters: “I ain’t doing it. Nah, I’m good. I’m good.”
Somehow, the NBA needs to find a way to make the Slam Dunk contest appealing to more high-profile players. Normally, the contest is the one that garners the most interest and excitement from fans, but seemingly gone are the days when star players like Vince Carter have historic feats at the event.
Yet McClung brought the enthusiasm and gravity-defying talent that the Weekend badly needed for three straight years.
When McClung jumped over a KIA, in last year’s contest, it at least helped an All-Star weekend plagued by missteps. Including comedian Kevin Hart as emcee for All-Star Sunday, which didn’t seem to land with the players or viewers. As well as the experimental 10-minute game format, which Draymond Green described unflatteringly on air as: “It sucks.”
This year brings about a new All-Star reimagining for 2026, featuring a round-robin tournament of two USA teams and a World team. This format has the potential to be competitive and interesting, hopefully reviving All-Star Sunday. The question is: who will step in for McClung?
