Mac McClung’s parents, Marcus and Lenoir McClung, always supported his athletic pursuits.
NBA And NBA G League star Mac McClung is creating a stir as he gets ready to participate in the 2025 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest in San Francisco’s Chase Center on February 15.
McClung is the two-time reigning AT&T Slam Dunk champion, having won in 2023 with the Philadelphia 76ers and in 2024 with the NBA G League’s Osceola Magic.
Highlight
- Mac McClung inherited athleticism from his father, Marcus McClung, a former college football player at Virginia Tech.
- McClung’s mother, Lenoir McClung, was a former college cheerleader.
- He grew up alongside his sister, Anna, in Gate City, Virginia.
Mac McClung’s Parents Described Him As An Extraordinarily Competitive As A Child!
NBA And NBA G League star Mac McClung was born on January 6, 1999, to parents Marcus and Lenoir McClung. Mac also has a sister, Anna McClung.
Growing up in a small town, Gate City, Virginia, Mac’s parents fostered an ideal environment for their son to hone his athletic skills.
However, his journey toward sports started with football, which is far more popular than basketball in Southwest Virginia.
His parents have described him as ‘extraordinarily competitive’ as a child. Moreover, his father, Marcus, said of him:
“Mac was just born with it. If you’re fixing a bowl of cereal, he’s going to make a competition. He would just come at you every day, no matter how small he was.”
Marcus McClung
Similarly, Marcus and Lenoir showered Mac and Anna with immense love and support, nurturing their passion for sports.
They constructed a gym in their four-bedroom basement for Anna, but as Mac got older, he frequently used it.
However, Marcus soon had to prohibit Mac from using the gym so that he would not disturb his sister, Anna.
Mac developed a passion for basketball after his mother, Lenoir, signed him up for a local youth league in seventh grade.
He quickly changed his concentration to basketball, working hard to make it to the NBA. When McClung chose to stop playing football after his first year in high school, his father, Marcus, was secretly glad.
Hence, his family’s love, support, and values helped shape his strong work ethic and fierce competitiveness.
His Parents Met At Virginia Tech!
2022 NBA G League Rookie of the Year Mac McClung acquired a passion for sports from his parents, Marcus and Lenoir.
Marcus crossed paths with Lenoir at Virginia Tech amidst the hustle and bustle of college life.
While Marcus played as a linebacker for the Virginia Tech Hokies, Lenoir was a cheerleader.
Moreover, renowned American college coach Frank Beamer coached Marcus during his collegiate football career.
Then, he briefly played with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL) but was soon discarded.
The college sweethearts eventually married and created a beautiful home and family in Gate City in 1994.
Marcus eventually became an attorney and served as a Commonwealth Attorney for Scott County, Virginia.
Likewise, Lenoir teaches driver’s education at Gate City High in Virginia. According to her LinkedIn, she is also a physical trainer at the institute.
The couple were very excited when they were pregnant with Mac.
When Lenoir informed Marcus that she was pregnant with their second child, they battled for months on the name. It had to start with an M, so Marcus eventually backed out.
“I don’t care what you name him. I’m calling him Mac no matter what.”
Marcus McClung
In Case You Didn’t Know
- At birth, Mac McClung’s umbilical cord was tightly wrapped around his neck, turning him blue. Fortunately, physicians quickly freed him, and he almost immediately recovered.
- His uncle, Seth, competed with two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams.
- McClung’s aunts, Correne and Collette, played Division I college hockey. Moreover, Correne also played with the Canadian national team.
- He also has a younger brother, Cam.
