Mac McClung is taking his high-flying career in a direction few saw coming.
Fresh off his 2026 NBA G League MVP season and now entering restricted free agency, the Chicago Bulls guard has been announced as the first official signing of DUNKMAN League — a new global competition founded by Shaquille O’Neal and set to launch in Summer 2026.
The move marks a unique next step for one of basketball’s most electrifying players — and signals a broader shift in how elite dunkers can build careers.
Mac McClung Becomes First Signing of Shaq’s DUNKMAN League
McClung, 27, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished dunkers in the world.
Standing only 6’2″ with a 46-inch vertical, the Gate City, Virginia native is the only player in history to three-peat the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and remains undefeated in professional dunk competitions. Known for signature dunks such as his “Dubble Up Over a Car,” McClung has built a global following through his creativity and athleticism.
“Dunkman is about finding the most elite dunkers in the world and giving them the stage they deserve,” O’Neal said in a statement to Heavy Sports. “Mac McClung is exactly who this league was built for.”
McClung’s signing positions him as the face of a league designed to elevate dunking into a standalone professional sport.
What Is the DUNKMAN League? First-Ever Professional Dunk League Explained
The DUNKMAN League is being billed as the world’s first professional dunk league, created in partnership with TNT Sports and Authentic Brands Group.
The inaugural season will feature 24 elite dunkers competing across four group-stage events, culminating in a championship round where finalists will compete for the DUNKMAN World Championship and a $500,000 grand prize.
Events will air across TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max, with additional content distributed through Bleacher Report, House of Highlights and YouTube.
“These athletes are innovators and DUNKMAN is going to give them a global stage, real stakes and a chance to build careers doing what they love,” O’Neal added.
Mac McClung Reacts to New Career Opportunity
For McClung, the opportunity represents something he has rarely had — a chance to fully focus on the art that made him famous.
“I’m really excited to be a part of Dunkman and compete against the best pro dunkers in the world,” McClung said in a statement to Heavy Sports. “I’ve been saving a few dunks that have never been seen or done.”
He added that the league will allow him to explore his creativity in ways he hasn’t before.
“I’ve never got a chance to put more than a couple weeks into actually training for dunking,” McClung said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the creativity that comes out this summer.”
G League MVP Season Caps Historic Run for Bulls Guard
McClung’s move comes after one of the most dominant individual seasons in G League history.
He averaged 31.8 points and 7.9 assists per game to capture his second MVP award and became the league’s all-time leading scorer with more than 5,300 career points.
Despite limited NBA opportunities, McClung has consistently found ways to make an impact — both statistically and culturally.
Mac McClung Enters Free Agency as NBA Future Remains Uncertain
McClung’s announcement also comes at a pivotal moment in his professional career.
He is now a restricted free agent, according to Spotrac, giving the Bulls the ability to match any offer sheet he signs this offseason.
Across four NBA seasons, McClung has played for five teams — including the Bulls and the Indiana Pacers — averaging 5.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 12.4 minutes over 17 regular-season games.
While his NBA role has yet to stabilize, his talent and athleticism continue to generate interest.
What This Means for McClung and the Future of Dunking
McClung’s decision highlights a growing evolution in the sport.
The DUNKMAN League is designed to transform dunking from a one-night showcase into a structured professional platform with global reach, storytelling and real financial stakes.
For McClung, it represents both an opportunity and a statement — a chance to expand his career while still navigating his NBA future.
As the basketball landscape continues to evolve, his next move may signal something bigger: a new pathway for players whose creativity and athleticism extend beyond the traditional game.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bulls Guard Mac McClung Announces Next Career Move After G League MVP With Shaquille O’Neal Involved appeared first on Heavy Sports.