Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung explained his choice not to participate in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest after winning the competition in each of the past three years.

“Originally, I told everybody I was done,” McClung told HoopsHype’s Cyro Asseo. “I retired after the third year, and they’re good friends of mine. We’re in contact a lot, and they were talking about this next year, and I was pretty much saying: ‘I’m not going to do it’. But I prepared anyway, just in case maybe I would. I think there was just back and forth of us being like this, and then they were calling me, being like ‘People didn’t want to do it if I was doing it’, and I thought it’s best if I just sit out this year and let it be, no matter what.”

McClung and former point guard Nate Robinson are the only players in NBA history to win the Slam Dunk Contest three times.

While achieving four victories in the event has never been done before, McClung was uncertain if he’d ever attempt to capture another title.

“We were just trying to figure it out together, and I felt there was a little bit of hesitation on both sides,” McClung told Asseo. “So I thought we’ll let this year happen and then let the people kind of feel the way they do. I don’t know if it’ll ever be in my future or not, but I’ve definitely enjoyed it these last three years.”

The 27-year-old didn’t show many signs of slowing down in the 2025 event, as he earned perfect scores for all four of his dunks.

McClung will still be around for the All-Star festivities, as he was recently selected as a replacement for the annual Rising Stars challenge. He’ll play on Team Austin, which is made up of players who have appeared in G League games this year.

McClung is currently on a two-way contract with the Bulls and has suited up in 15 regular-season games with their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest field is made up of Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant, Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson.

The dunk contest will take place on Saturday.