"THE BEST DUNKER in the world joined his teammates for practice on a recent December morning in suburban Chicago. But unlike the expansive, full-court spaces typically used by NBA players, Mac McClung's Windy City Bulls had to share theirs with retirees in visors and knee braces. While McClung warmed up on one side, a group of seniors grunted and sweated through pickleball matches on the other. McClung is winner of the last three NBA Slam Dunk Contests and the only player ever to win three in a row. Not even Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or Vince Carter could make that claim."
"McClung said the memories were incredible from his historic dunk titles -- flying over a Kia, hurdling Shaq, rubbing elbows with Dr. J -- along with the off-court opportunities that came from them. But that's where he thinks the benefits of his dunking fame end. "I don't think it has much to do with my NBA career," McClung said. McClung's career has taken him from the G League to the NBA, back to the G League, back to the NBA, up, down, up and down again. Four G League clubs in five seasons. Ten NBA games for five teams during that time. McClung turned down multiple offers to play overseas. "Millions of dollars," he said, "... but this [NBA quest] is where my heart's at.""
Mac McClung practices with the Windy City Bulls in a suburban Chicago facility that he shares with seniors playing pickleball. He is the only player to win three straight NBA Slam Dunk Contests, earning memorable dunks and off-court opportunities. McClung believes those opportunities did not substantially advance his NBA career. His professional path has alternated between the G League and brief NBA stints, including four G League clubs in five seasons and ten NBA games for five teams. He declined multiple overseas offers and accepted short-term NBA contracts and a two-way deal this season.
Read at ESPN.com
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