Former NBA dunk champion Nate Robinson recently spoke out about the league in response to Mac McClung’s surprising choice to pass on the upcoming 2026 Slam Dunk Contest, saying that the NBA deserves some of the blame for McClung’s decision. Robinson, who won the dunk competition three times himself, expressed his thoughts after the news broke that McClung would not participate in this year’s All-Star Weekend event.
As reported by Athlon Sports, McClung, one of the most electrifying performers in recent Dunk Contest history, has won the competition three straight years. His absence from the 2026 lineup means he won’t have a chance to make history with a fourth straight title, something no player has ever done. Robinson supported McClung’s choice and criticized the league’s treatment of the rising star.
McClung’s father, Marcus McClung, said that his son opted out for a combination of reasons, not one single explanation. “Not going to be 4 in a row,” Marcus McClung wrote in a text message. “Not one reason that I could say that was the main reason. In my opinion it is more like a bunch of reasons that just pointed to him not doing it.”
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Robinson Blames The NBA For McClung’s Exclusion
McClung himself confirmed on social media that he would release the creative dunks he had prepared for the contest after the All-Star break. “But since we prepared for it … I’ll be releasing the dunks we came up with after the contest!” he wrote.
For Robinson, McClung’s decision is indicative of a larger issue in the NBA. He argued that McClung has not been given enough real opportunities in the league. “If I was him, I wouldn’t do it either,” Robinson said. “He’s such a great guy, he plays basketball the right way. He’s been killing it in the D League [G League]. And the NBA still won’t give him a chance to play the game at a high level.”
That sentiment reflects the frustration some fans and former players feel about McClung’s lack of NBA opportunities. After earning his first standard NBA contract with the Indiana Pacers earlier in the 2025-26 season, McClung appeared in just three games before being waived. His brief stint yielded modest numbers: 6.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. After he was released by the Pacers, he returned to the Chicago Bulls’ G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.
Robinson did not hold back when describing his view of McClung’s talent. “He’s a good player, he can jump and he will be a fan-favorite if you bring him off the bench and let him do his thing,” Robinson said. “I don’t understand why they don’t have him play in the NBA and be part of a team. It’s crazy man,”
Robinson also suggested that part of the problem stems from how teams and owners view players who aren’t yet established stars. “Teams and the owners are not believing in the little guy anymore,” he said, implying that McClung’s situation isn’t just about one player but could reflect a trend across the league where athletic but unproven players are passed over in favor of veterans or bigger names.
McClung’s absence from the dunk contest changes the narrative around the event, which has already become controversial this weekend. As one of the most exciting figures in recent competitions, and the only player to win three consecutive contests, McClung’s decision to sit out leaves a void that other competitors will now try to fill. At the time of writing, confirmed participants in the dunk contest include Jalen Duren, Carter Bryant, and Jaxson Hayes.
Despite not competing, McClung’s promise to release the dunks he had prepared ensures fans will still see the creative plays he planned for the event. That gesture has been welcomed by his supporters, who feel his decision was influenced by his professional situation as much as anything else.
Published: Feb 4, 2026 01:00 pm