NBA All-Star Weekend: Little known player McClung shines as he wins coveted Slum Dunk contest

But after the Slum Dunk contest, fans are chanting his name and singing his praises after a career-defining night where he emerged the winner and according to many, saved the Slum Dunk contest. The All-Star Weekend, to be honest, belongs to McClung and NBA bigwigs and fans would not protest this.

He was the only player who got every fan in the arena to stand up and pay attention whenever he was about to showcase one of his four dunks. He says there are four dunks he did not use as he was prepared to go the whole way if it came to that.

Once a dull contest where fans just watched for the sake of it, McClung helped revive it by stealing the show the way Vince Carter, Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant did in their heydays.

Those who did not know who McClung is can be forgiven seeing as he has only played two NBA games in his nascent career with short stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. McClung, who was wearing a Philadelphia 76ers jersey, signed a two-way contract with the team four days ago. He is yet to play in the NBA this season.

McClung made history as the first G League player to be invited to the Slum Dunk contest and also made more history as the G League player to win the contest. The All-Star Weekend is usually reserved for the biggest names in the league and not some no-name kid called McClung.

The G League is the NBA’s official minor league where players who are not deemed as ready for the main league are sent for fine-tuning and development.

The few who knew McClung probably have seen his online dunks and were not surprised at how good and experienced he really is when it comes to forcibly getting the ball through the rim.

Three of McClung's four dunks earned him straight 50s by the panel of five judges and to be honest, he deserved four straight 50s if it wasn't for one of the judges, Lisa Leslie who did not think his second attempt was that good.

But he prevailed upon fellow finalist New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III to take home the award.

Saying he did not think that claims he "saved" the Slum Dunk contest, McClung was humble to praise his friends whom he said helped him come up with the ideas and helped him train as well.

MAC MCCLUNG HITS THE 540. PERFECT SCORE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday
📺: Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/ohSyYpMAq6