NBA Dunk Champion Mac McClung Is a ‘Huge’ Harry Styles Fan: ‘My Ex Got Me Into Him’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Mac McClung, Harry Styles.Photo:ennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty ImagesBack-to-back NBA dunk contest champion Mac McClung is a big fan ofHarry Styles!McClung, 25, revealed his love for the “Adore You” singer during NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis just before he defended his title as the NBA’s dunk contest champion on Saturday.“I love Harry. My favorite song right now is probably “Satellite” on his newer album,” McClung says, referring to Styles' 2022 album,Harry’s House.The former Texas Tech University player admits the origin of his fandom doesn’t stem from Styles' former band,One Direction, however.Instead, McClung became a fan of Styles after an ex-girlfriend suggested he listen to the former boy-bander’s music. “I can’t lie, my ex-girlfriend put me on, so that’s where I got it from,” McClung says.And perhaps McClung, who bested NBA stars Jaylen Brown and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the tournament, will get Styles' attention if he continues his rise to stardom in the NBA.Mac McClung.Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesMcClung’s performance in Saturday’s dunk contest, his second consecutive win as a G-League player, included an epic dunk over 7-foot-1Shaquille O’Neal.In a post on X, O’Neal’s officialBig Podcast with Shaqaccount said, “Mac McClung’s dunk over Shaq is INSANE.“O’Neal sported McClung’s Gate City high school jersey as the young athlete jumped over his head for the dunk, and McClung said, “It almost makes me emotional,” during his press conference after the contest.McClung said he asked O’Neal to wear his jersey for the dunk, and the Lakers legend joked back, “You better not miss.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Speaking to PEOPLE, McClung reflected on participating in All-Star Weekend for the second year in a row.“It’s such a cool weekend and an incredible place to be. The energy is amazing and I’ll never forget these moments,” says McClung.McClung currently plays for the Osceola Magic in the NBA’s G-League. He previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.

Mac McClung, Harry Styles.Photo:ennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

ennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Back-to-back NBA dunk contest champion Mac McClung is a big fan ofHarry Styles!McClung, 25, revealed his love for the “Adore You” singer during NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis just before he defended his title as the NBA’s dunk contest champion on Saturday.“I love Harry. My favorite song right now is probably “Satellite” on his newer album,” McClung says, referring to Styles' 2022 album,Harry’s House.The former Texas Tech University player admits the origin of his fandom doesn’t stem from Styles' former band,One Direction, however.Instead, McClung became a fan of Styles after an ex-girlfriend suggested he listen to the former boy-bander’s music. “I can’t lie, my ex-girlfriend put me on, so that’s where I got it from,” McClung says.And perhaps McClung, who bested NBA stars Jaylen Brown and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the tournament, will get Styles' attention if he continues his rise to stardom in the NBA.Mac McClung.Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesMcClung’s performance in Saturday’s dunk contest, his second consecutive win as a G-League player, included an epic dunk over 7-foot-1Shaquille O’Neal.In a post on X, O’Neal’s officialBig Podcast with Shaqaccount said, “Mac McClung’s dunk over Shaq is INSANE.“O’Neal sported McClung’s Gate City high school jersey as the young athlete jumped over his head for the dunk, and McClung said, “It almost makes me emotional,” during his press conference after the contest.McClung said he asked O’Neal to wear his jersey for the dunk, and the Lakers legend joked back, “You better not miss.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Speaking to PEOPLE, McClung reflected on participating in All-Star Weekend for the second year in a row.“It’s such a cool weekend and an incredible place to be. The energy is amazing and I’ll never forget these moments,” says McClung.McClung currently plays for the Osceola Magic in the NBA’s G-League. He previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.

Back-to-back NBA dunk contest champion Mac McClung is a big fan ofHarry Styles!

McClung, 25, revealed his love for the “Adore You” singer during NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis just before he defended his title as the NBA’s dunk contest champion on Saturday.

“I love Harry. My favorite song right now is probably “Satellite” on his newer album,” McClung says, referring to Styles' 2022 album,Harry’s House.

The former Texas Tech University player admits the origin of his fandom doesn’t stem from Styles' former band,One Direction, however.

Instead, McClung became a fan of Styles after an ex-girlfriend suggested he listen to the former boy-bander’s music. “I can’t lie, my ex-girlfriend put me on, so that’s where I got it from,” McClung says.

And perhaps McClung, who bested NBA stars Jaylen Brown and Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the tournament, will get Styles' attention if he continues his rise to stardom in the NBA.

Mac McClung.Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

McClung’s performance in Saturday’s dunk contest, his second consecutive win as a G-League player, included an epic dunk over 7-foot-1Shaquille O’Neal.

In a post on X, O’Neal’s officialBig Podcast with Shaqaccount said, “Mac McClung’s dunk over Shaq is INSANE.”

O’Neal sported McClung’s Gate City high school jersey as the young athlete jumped over his head for the dunk, and McClung said, “It almost makes me emotional,” during his press conference after the contest.

McClung said he asked O’Neal to wear his jersey for the dunk, and the Lakers legend joked back, “You better not miss.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Speaking to PEOPLE, McClung reflected on participating in All-Star Weekend for the second year in a row.

“It’s such a cool weekend and an incredible place to be. The energy is amazing and I’ll never forget these moments,” says McClung.

McClung currently plays for the Osceola Magic in the NBA’s G-League. He previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA.

source: people.com