2021 NBA Draft: Can Mac McClung Stick in the NBA?

Can Mac McClung stick in the NBA? originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

The Washington Wizards are picking in the middle of the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft. Whether they trade up, down or stay firm at No. 15, here is the latest in our series on draft prospects whom the Wizards could consider selecting.

2021 NBA Draft Prospect Preview: Mac McClung

School/team: Texas Tech

Position: SG/PG

Age: 21

Height: 6-2

Weight: 185

Wingspan: N/A

2020/21 stats: 29 G, 15.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.3 bpg, 41.9 FG% (5.1/12.2), 34.3 3PT% (1.6/4.7), 79.3 FT%

Player comparison: Malik Monk

Projections: NBC Sports Washington N/A, Ringer N/A, NBADraft.net Undrafted, Bleacher Report Undrafted

5 things to know:

- Every basketball fan has seen Mac McClung highlights at this point in his career, and it doesn't take long to notice his athleticism and natural feel as a scorer. He displays an array of moves to get to the basket and get his jumper off in the mid-range and behind the arc. He has the potential to be a dangerous offensive weapon at the next level if he can carve out a consistent role for himself. 

- McClung has a clean-looking shooting stroke that he's comfortable getting off in dribble-pull-ups or coming around screens and spotting up. He was forced into a lot of tough pull-up jumpers in his three college seasons, which could explain his relatively inefficient shooting percentages. The fact of the matter is his jumper looks a lot better and more consistent when he's spotting up, which may help his outlook in the NBA since that's likely the role he'll find himself in early on. 

- After transferring from Georgetown following his sophomore year, McClung had a much better season at Texas Tech. He was still a primary offensive option, but he wasn't forced to be everything and more for that team like he was with the Hoyas. This bodes well for his ability to produce as a role player at the next level. 

- As talented as McClung is as a scorer, he's still a shooting guard stuck in a point guard's body. That lack of size and strength will likely hinder him on both sides of the floor against the NBA's best. He'll have a harder time creating space for himself on offense and his team will likely have to hide him on defense due to a lack of positional versatility. 

- McClung has shown flashes of good playmaking here and there at the college level, but there are far too many bad passes and unforced turnovers sprinkled in for anyone to be confident in his ability to direct traffic and run an NBA offense. He'll need to improve as a passer to open up the rest of his game, otherwise, he'll likely just be a spot-up shooter who's a minus on defense. 

Fit with Wizards:

The Wizards aren't exactly in a position to turn away good shooters, so acquiring McClung either in the second round or as an undrafted free agent wouldn't be the worst move. 

Washington could get him for cheap, slot him into a two-way contract and introduce him to the NBA as a spot-up shooter and secondary playmaker. McClung could help the Wizards with his shooting and give them a bit of long-term potential if he can fully realize his potential on the offensive end of the floor. 

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