Former Osceola Magic star gets opportunity with injury-wreaked team
Dreams do come true!
Mac McClung was the floor leader for the Osceola Magic the last two years, leading them all the way to the NBA G League Championship series where they lost to the Stockton Kings last season. McClung wanted parlay the success of last year into playing regularly at the NBA level. He just wanted a chance to make an NBA roster.
“I’ve come up short a ton of times in this game,” McClung said of reaching the NBA. “There’s something in my soul. There is a resilience in me. I believe I’m built for this stage.”
The three-time defending NBA Dunk Champion finally got his wish on Tuesday, as he signed a multi-year non-guaranteed contract with the run-and-gun Indiana Pacers. That came days after the Chicago Bulls signed him to join their training camp and G League team — only to be waived just three hours later per insider reports.
“I’m very blessed and I thank God this opportunity worked out,” McClung said. “I love to play fast. I’ve always played fast all my life.”
He is expected to be one of the first guards off the bench after the Pacers lost several guards to injury including stars Tyler Hansbrough and Tyrese Halliburton, who are out for the year.
“He is a young player but has professional experience playing in G League games and some NBA games,” Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “He has a feel for the NBA game.”
“He will be playing some [shooting guard] and some [point guard]. We’re happy to have him on board. He is an attacker and aggressive. He is healthy, which is important right now.”
Osceola Magic coach Dylan Murphy was ecstatic that his former player has fulfilled his dream, which is also the dream of all the players on the Osceola Magic roster.
“We’re super excited for him. That’s why we do this,” Murphy, who is entering his third season as head coach of the Osceola Magic said. “Obviously, you know we are trying to win games like every other team, but to see guys achieve their dreams and have that moment is a pretty cool thing. So, hopefully we get a bunch of those this season.”
Osceola Magic guard Alex Morales is thrilled for his friend to reach his lifetime dream. He hopes to follow in Mac’s footsteps and make an NBA roster in the future.
“I feel happy as if it were me,” Morales said. “That’s how much it means to me as a friend as a brother. I learned a lot from him.
“And watching what he goes through day in, and day out reflects on my journey. Just waiting for the timing, keep being yourself, and then it will come.”
McClung averaged 25.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last year with the Osceola Magic. He said the Indiana fans will learn that he is more than a dunker.
“I’m a competitor,” McClung said about his game. “In the end you just have to go out there and compete.”
