2023 AT&T Slam Dunk Champion, Mac McClung, has teamed up with AT&T to show gratitude to AT&T wireless customers with the Dunk Pool Presented by AT&T 5G. FanSided caught up with McClung to hear more about the partnership and talk basketball.
For each dunk in the NBA Conference Finals, AT&T will be donating $5,000 to the prize pool for customers to use towards NBA merchandise. And, in cooperation with NBA Cares, AT&T will also donate $10 to Digital Divide initiatives for every gift card redeemed. Max McClung has been the face of this campaign and he spoke with FanSided about the NBA Playoffs, dunks, charity and what's next for his basketball career.
Can you tell me a little bit about the campaign with AT&T? What are you most excited about?
Mac McClung: I'm super excited to join AT&T. Everything they're doing to connect with their customers and the fact that I get to be a part of that. That's just really cool and something myself and my whole team is excited about.
I know that you participated in the dunk contest this year. What was your favorite dunk of yours that you performed?
McClung: Oh man, I would say the first dunk was my favorite. Just because I probably put the most time into creating that one and the most time spent on that one. To see it work out, it was probably my favorite.
Was there any dunk that you found easier or more challenging? Considering the fact that you made them all look pretty effortless out there.
McClung: The last one was the hardest one just because I missed it almost every time the day before. A couple of weeks before, in practice, I was getting it every time. Then, the night before, I was missing it every time. So, I think that one was the biggest relief because I kept missing it the night before.
Since the dunk contest, what's been the biggest change in your life?
McClung: I think just adjusting to different situations, my personal time, and obviously when I'm out in public, it's a little different with people noticing you. But with a bunch of things going on, you really have to protect your time, your peace, and balance that I would say.
Now that you've gotten to experience both college basketball and the G League, which route would you take to go pro if you can go back in time?
McClung: If I could go back in time, I would do everything the same. I think people are gifted with different opportunities. If I was a kid and I was offered the money kids can earn to play in the G League today, I don't know what I would do. But now college basketball is paying people. So, I would say I would do it all the same. I love my college experience and it's a different game than the NBA. It was fun to play that as well, so I would stick everything the same.
How has the G League helped you prepare for the NBA?
McClung: It's helped me with preparing for situations. It's the same game as the NBA, maybe a little different. Players in the NBA are a little more athletic, and a little taller. But, there are a lot of hoopers in the G League and it resembles the same game as the NBA. So, I got to just really get adapted that first year with the ball in my hands in the G League. It made me more comfortable for once I do get to those moments in NBA games.
Do you think you could have helped the 76ers in their playoff run?
McClung: I'll go with no comment on that. I mean, I really believe in myself, but I'm just ready for whatever opportunity comes next.
So this one's a little bit of a non-basketball question. But are you and Riff Raff related?
McClung: No, we are not related at all.
If you could pick one player, past or present to go one-on-one in a dunk contest with, who would it be?
McClung: Oh, man, I think it would be Vince Carter. I mean, that was my favorite dunker. So, I think it only makes sense to choose him.
Was there a favorite player you had growing up or someone you tried modeling your game after?
McClung: I never tried to model my game after anyone, but I think that Kobe [Bryant] and [Allen] Iverson were my favorite players. I kind of liked personalities the most and those two are my favorite.
I read somewhere that your shooting form improved because of a snowboarding accident. How did that help your shot?
McClung: You guys get the details, man, I don't know where you guys get this. I was not a very good shooter at all. I just started playing basketball and then I broke my arm. I met this guy after I broke my arm just randomly and you know, he helped me kind of just reset my shot, my wrist, and everything. He's my best friend's dad so, it was cool to kind of start over with him and change my form.
Do you remember your first dunk? Do you remember how old you were? Was it in a game, in practice, etc.?
McClung: My first dunk was, I think it was like my freshman year of high school. I was around 15 years old. And, yeah, it was something. I was probably a lot more excited than everybody else that was there. But I thought it was the coolest thing and I fell in love with dunking right after that.
Were you the same height back then as you are now?
McClung: No, I'm a lot taller now. I used to be really short. I was a late bloomer. I was like, I was like 5-foot-7 in my freshman year of high school when I was dunking.
Is there anything that you were working on specifically to help you improve on your dunking or to help you with your vertical?
McClung: Yeah, just a lot of plyometrics and a lot of repetitive jumps. Also, I would go out trying to touch the backboard every day and I was just kind of obsessed with it overall and I think that's what kind of helped me be ready for when I could dunk on the 10-foot hoop. I was always dunking on seven-eight feet, so I was practicing for when I had the opportunity when I got older.
Of the remaining teams, whom would you pick to win this year's NBA Finals?
McClung: I think it's open. It's a really open situation. I'm going to say Denver will win it all this year.
I'm not sure what kind of music you listen to or if you're familiar with the artist Russ, but he actually name-dropped you in a song that he released this month. Are you aware of that?
McClung: So, it's funny. One of my best friends, Nate Pierre Louis is the biggest Russ fan and he knew before it came out. So he called me, he was like, "You're about to be a Russ song." My best friend is like his biggest fan, he loves him and he found out that I was going to be on the song. I know Russ, he's a great rapper. I listened to it and it was just really cool. My friends listen to it in the car and it was just like, that's dope.
How does that feel? Did he have to get clearance from you? Or he just did it?
McClung: Not at all, if you want to put me in some music no problem.
Who is the best dunker you've played against in person or witnessed in person other than yourself?
McClung: A really slept-on dunker Is Jeff Green. He amazes me at his age and how he dunks. I love watching him dunk.
So I know that you had a ball life mix tape and I just wanted to hear your thoughts on the value of that and the mixtape culture and how you think that affected your career.
McClung: It was kind of weird. It kind of started getting really, really big when I got to high school. I think now it's more important than it was back then. Back then it was just really cool and it was really rare for you to get one. Now, It seems like it kind of controls basketball in a lot of ways. Like, just people play a little different style. I think people play a little more mixtape basketball style, which, you know, that's the game. You got to be able to just adapt to it. It was cool growing up and just kind of seeing those guys I looked up to on the tapes and then eventually getting my own tape. I thought was just a cool experience.
I want to talk more about your G league championship. How does it feel to be a G League champion?
McClung: Man, that was great. I think a lot of the guys in the G League are just focused on trying to make the most of their situation and they can get selfish sometimes. But that was the beauty in our group. Our priority was to win a championship and no matter if people value a G League championship or not, we did and I think people appreciate that. I think just our team came together and it was a beautiful thing. Winning a championship in any sport on any level is a special thing.
Did you guys get rings?
McClung: Yeah, we get rings. I think they're coming in a few months, but we got rings. We're super excited.
I wanted to hear more about the AT&T collaboration. Would you be able to go into specifics about the campaign itself?
McClung: AT&T, for every dunk in the NBA Conference Finals, is going to donate "$5G's," which is amazing. It's really fun to be a part of that group and no matter what team you're playing/rooting for, it's fun to watch the dunks. I'm looking forward to seeing how many dunks actually happen. I think it's fun for all of us to follow along and watch.
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