Mac McClung Says Prime Vince Carter Would Beat Him in NBA Dunk Contest: ‘Not Close’

Doric SamFebruary 20, 2024

Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

Despite becoming the fifth player ever to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in back-to-back seasons, Mac McClung remains humble while considering his chances in hypothetical matchups against some of the all-time great dunkers.

During an appearance on FanDuel’s Run It Back, McClung was posed with the question of who would win a dunk contest between him and Vince Carter, and the 25-year-old said he wouldn’t pick against Carter.

“It’s not even close, that’s Vince all day, don’t even do that to me,” McClung said.

Run It Back @RunItBackFDTV”Prime Vince Carter-Prime Mac McClung, who are we taking in the dunk contest?” @ChandlerParsons

“It’s not even close, that’s Vince all day, don’t even do that to me.” @McclungMac 😂

📺: https://t.co/qYBPWhYgh7 pic.twitter.com/SQUCZ3uefW

McClung was also asked by TMZ Sports if he would like to face LeBron James in a dunk contest one day and he responded, “He’s the man, I don’t know if I’d want to go against him. He’d probably beat me, for sure.”

Carter, who won the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest in one of the most memorable performances in All-Star weekend history, said he would have relished a matchup against McClung in his younger days.

“I would love the competition, that’s what it’s all about,” Carter said. “I know the NBA years ago tried to put a lot of money up for the best to do it, and prime Vince would want all the smoke with everybody because it’s gonna bring the best out of me.”

McClung usually takes a whole year to map out his plans for the dunk contest, but going up against Carter would require some extra time.

“I might have to start two years in advance just thinking and figuring it all out,” McClung said.

It remains to be seen if McClung will go for a three-peat next season. He said after his win on Saturday that he wouldn’t commit just yet, but it’s not off the table.