Former Georgetown Guard, YouTube Star Mac McClung Transfers To Texas Tech

Since becoming Texas Tech’s men’s basketball coach in 2016, Chris Beard has turned a once laughingstock into one of the nation’s premier programs. Beard did so by primarily recruiting and developing unheralded players. Now, he’s been able to attract highly regarded players who several years ago wouldn’t have considered the Red Raiders.

On Wednesday, former Georgetown guard Mac McClung announced that he would be transferring to Texas Tech. McClung is expected to apply for a waiver that would make him eligible to play this upcoming season. If his request is denied, he wouldn’t compete again until the 2021-22 season.

Even before playing at Georgetown, McClung had already amassed a huge online following thanks in large part to his dunking ability. He was featured in dozens of YouTube videos as a star at Gate City High School in Virginia, including one produced by Ballislife that’s generated more than 2.3 million views.

The past two seasons at Georgetown, McClung proved he was more than just a flashy dunker. But in late March, McClung announced he was leaving the Hoyas’ program and entering the NBA draft but maintaining his college eligibility. Earlier this month, he withdrew his name from the draft and said he would transfer. He chose Texas Tech over Arkansas, Auburn, BYU, Memphis, USC and Wake Forest.

The Red Raiders are adding a player who was among the best in the Big East, the nation’s third-best conference last season, according to the KenPom website. After averaging 13.1 points and making the league’s All-Freshmen team in 2019, McClung averaged 15.7 points last season but played in just 21 games due to a knee injury.

McClung is part of an influx of talent that should keep Texas Tech among the top teams in the country even with the loss of Jahmi’us Ramsey and Davide Moretti, last season’s top two scorers. Ramsey declared for the NBA draft, while Moretti decided to play professionally in Italy, where he was raised.

Besides McClung, the Red Raiders added Marcus Santos-Silva, a 6-foot-7 power forward from VCU. Santos-Silva, who averaged 12.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game last season, is expected to receive a waiver to play this coming season, according to ESPN.

Texas Tech has also signed the nation’s ninth-ranked freshman class, according to 247Sports. The class features 6-foot-3 guard Nimari Burnett, the 32nd ranked player, and 6-foot-7 forward Micah Peavy, the 41st ranked player.

The Red Raiders also have a chance to sign Jonathan Kuminga, a 6-foot-8 forward at the Patrick School in New Jersey. Kuminga, whose brother plays at Texas Tech, has the Red Raiders among the four schools he is considering.

Kuminga is the top ranked player in the high school class of 2021, according to 247Sports, but he may reclassify and play college basketball this coming season. Kuminga’s other finalists are Auburn, Duke and Kentucky. He may also sign to play in the G League, like other top high schoolers have done recently.

The Red Raiders’ recent success attracting talent is another reminder of how much Beard has meant to the program. He has compiled a 94-44 record, winning 68.1% of his games and advancing to the 2018 NCAA tournament championship where the Red Raiders lost in overtime to Virginia. Shortly after that game, Beard signed a six-year contract that will pay him an annual average salary of nearly $4.6 million through the 2024-25 season. He is the fifth highest paid coach in college basketball, according to USA Today.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought uncertainty to the sports industry, so there’s no guarantee next season will start on time or have a normal schedule. Still, whenever the games return, Texas Tech looks like it will remain a nationally relevant program.