The NBA never ceases to amaze with the emergence of new and surprising talents. Like the best killer in the All Star slam dunk contest, a 24-year-old, 1.88 meters tall and who had only played two games in the NBA: Matthew Mac McClung, of the Philadelphia 76ers. An intruder who marveled at his spectacular dunk range.
The Gate City (Virginia) point guard was playing in the development league, the G-League, with the Delaware Blue Coats when he was chosen to participate in the All-Star contest, but this week he signed a contract with the Philadelphia 76ers .
At All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, he pocketed the judges and 20,000 spectators at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake with acrobatic dunks leaping over young men standing under the hoop. In the final he defeated New Orleans player Trey Murphy III.
“It’s great. I am truly happy and grateful to the NBA for giving me this opportunity”, said the boy, the first G-League player to participate in the slam dunk contest and win it. He is also the first Sixer player to inscribe his name in the list of matadors.
McClung received the winner’s trophy from a legend like Julius Erving, and vowed to defend his crown. “If you love me, I’ll be back,” he won over the Salt Lake City crowd.
McClung’s performance was a spectacle from the first dunk. To open his game, the point guard jumped over a young man who was sitting on the shoulders of another, caught the ball in the air and popped the rim. “It’s been great, making my first mate has gone very well.” The first three earned him a maximum score of 50 points.
For the final dunk, McClung donned his Gate City High School jersey, ran under the rim, jumped with a 540 degree rotation (one and a half turns) and dunked the ball, receiving a score of 50. and the ovation of the 20,000 spectators.
