Mac McClung joins Shaq's Dunk League! Developing new moves: Competing for $500,000 prize

On April 15 Beijing time, as the Chicago Bulls' 2025-26 season concluded, the next chapter for Bulls two-way contract player Mac McClung was officially revealed.

This three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion will team up with NBA Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal, becoming the first signed player for the inaugural season of O'Neal's newly founded DUNKMAN league. The league is hailed as the world's first professional dunking competition, and the event will be broadcast on major platforms this summer. The league champion will win a $500,000 grand prize.

Mac McClung's New Journey with DUNKMAN

With a 117 cm vertical leap and exceptional performance flair, McClung is considered the perfect fit for the DUNKMAN league.

Shaquille O'Neal discussed this new competition in an interview with the Associated Press: "These athletes are innovators. DUNKMAN will provide them with a global stage, genuine competitive value, and the opportunity to build a career through their passion for dunking. We are transforming dunking from a one-night fame contest into the fastest-growing professional aerial sport."

McClung will compete alongside 23 other top dunkers from around the world for the championship. He also confirmed his participation via the DUNKMAN official account.

In an interview with BleacherNation, McClung revealed he is already developing new dunk moves to debut this summer: "I'm truly excited to join DUNKMAN and compete against the world's best professional dunkers. I've kept a few dunks that have never been shown or attempted by anyone before—this is the perfect stage to unleash my creativity. This summer, I'm ready to show the world and enjoy the competition."

The competition consists of four group stages, with professional judges using an Olympic-style scoring system to determine the first DUNKMAN world champion.

Signing McClung is a major success for this new league. He is regarded as one of the most entertaining dunkers in basketball today, with unmatched jumping ability and explosive power. Since 2023, his highly creative dunks have almost single-handedly revitalized the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, culminating in a peak showdown with Spurs rookie Steph Castle in 2025.

McClung won G League MVP this season

Last season, McClung excelled for the Windy City Bulls, the Bulls' G League affiliate, earning the G League MVP award. He played 29 regular-season games for Windy City Bulls, averaging 31.8 points with shooting percentages of 51.5% FG, 38.1% 3PT, and 77.5% FT, along with 7.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.7 blocks.

In February, he signed a two-way contract with the Bulls and played 11 NBA regular-season games this season for both the Bulls and the Indiana Pacers.

He said in a previous interview: "I am extremely grateful... the journey has been winding, but I just want to stay grounded and focus on improving. I give my full effort to what I can control, and leave the rest to God. I feel very fortunate to join the Bulls, thankful for the opportunity they gave me, and I'm really excited."