Mac McClung, the three-time defending Slam Dunk Contest champion, is sitting out the 2026 event because some players were hesitant to compete against him, and he chose to step aside to avoid tension with friends and fellow competitors.
Three-time defending Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung had already announced that he would not participate in the 2026 NBA All-Star Dunk Contest – and now he's explained why.
Mac McClung
Mac McClung
Mac McClung
MIN: 11.84
PTS: 5.75 (41.38%)
REB: 1.25
AS: 0.5
ST: 1.25
BL: 0.5
TO: 0.75
GM: 4
According to McClung, several NBA players didn't want to compete if he was in it.
"Originally, I told everybody I was done," McClung said in an interview with Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype. "I retired after the third year, and they're good friends of mine. We're in contact a lot, and they were talking about this next year, and I was pretty much saying, 'I'm not going to do it.' But I prepared anyway, just in case maybe I would.
"I think there was just back and forth of us being like this, and then they were calling me, being like 'People didn't want to do it if I was doing it', and I thought it's best if I just sit out this year and let it be, no matter what."
When asked if his dominance in the contest was the reason other players didn't want to compete against him, McClung was diplomatic.
"I don't know if it was that," the 27-year-old said. "I know they were after a lot of big-name guys, and the situation may not have been clear, but they're good friends of mine. It wasn't anything like ill will. We were just trying to figure it out together, and I felt there was a little bit of hesitation on both sides.
"So, I thought we'll let this year happen and then let the people kind of feel the way they do. I don't know if it'll ever be in my future or not, but I've definitely enjoyed it these last three years."
McClung remains the only player in history to win the contest three times in a row.
The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest in Los Angeles will feature Carter Bryant (Spurs), Keshad Johnson (Heat), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), and Jase Richardson (Magic) on Saturday.
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