Mac McClung Heads Overseas
The most electrifying highlight reel Texas Tech ever produced is leaving North American basketball behind. Mac McClung — the two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion — has departed both the NBA and the G League to pursue a professional opportunity in Europe, closing a chapter on a stateside career that never quite found a permanent home despite his viral fame.
McClung appeared in just 17 NBA games across stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers. His two appearances with the 76ers were his most notable stretch, where he combined for 25 points. The Red Raiders product became a household name through his back-to-back Dunk Contest titles, but converting that spectacle into a consistent roster spot proved elusive. Now, rather than chase another two-way deal or G League assignment, he's taking his game across the Atlantic.
It's a pragmatic move. For a player whose NBA path was always defined by flashes over continuity, a featured role in Europe likely offers McClung something the NBA never fully did: consistent minutes, a defined role, and the chance to develop as a complete player rather than a set-piece attraction. Whether this is a detour or a permanent pivot remains to be seen, but at 25, McClung's story is far from over.
Christian Anderson Carving Out Hornets Minutes
While McClung heads abroad, fellow Texas Tech alum Christian Anderson is quietly working his way into the Charlotte Hornets' rotation during the opening week of the 2026–27 season. The undrafted guard logged 15 minutes in a Friday loss to the Hawks, contributing 2 points, 2 assists, and a block — a statline that speaks more to two-way engagement than raw production. He followed that with a 13-minute outing against the Nets on Wednesday, adding 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals with a plus-5 plus/minus in a 110–103 win. His Saturday appearance against the Heat was brief, just two minutes, but his presence on the active roster through the first week is itself a statement.
Anderson won't generate the buzz McClung does, but for a fringe roster player, consistent availability and positive defensive contributions are the currency that keeps contracts alive. Early returns suggest he's making the most of his opportunity.
The Bigger Picture
Texas Tech's NBA footprint this week is a study in contrasts: one alum exiting the league on his own terms after redefining what a dunk contest can look like, another scratching for every minute on a rebuilding Hornets squad. Neither path is glamorous in the traditional sense, but both reflect the hustle-and-prove-it ethos that has defined the Red Raiders program under the Mark Adams era and beyond.
Other Texas Tech alumni — including Terrence Shannon Jr. (Timberwolves), Kevin McCullar Jr. (Knicks), and Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers) — remain active on NBA rosters, keeping the program's NBA presence broader than its historical reputation might suggest. McClung's departure dims one very bright light, but the Red Raiders' NBA pipeline is showing no signs of drying up.
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