South Bay Lakers' Mac McClung Named 2021-22 Kia NBA G League Rookie of the Year

The NBA G League announced today that South Bay Lakers two-way guard Mac McClung has been named the 2021-22 Kia NBA G League Rookie of the Year. The prestigious award, voted on by the league’s head coaches and general managers, recognizes the first-year professional who most significantly contributed to his team’s success during the regular season.

McClung averaged 21.7 points, 7.6 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 27 regular-season games this season. He ranked seventh in the NBA G League in assists and ninth in free throw percentage (88.5).

The Gate City, Virginia native is South Bay’s first ever NBA G League Rookie of the Year honoree. McClung helped guide South Bay to a 10-4 Showcase Cup record followed by a 21-11 regular season record, good enough for the three-seed in the Western Conference, and a trip to the Western Conference Semifinals in the NBA G League Playoffs.

Undrafted out of Texas Tech, McClung joined the Los Angeles Lakers’ Summer League team before attending training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers. Acquired by the South Bay Lakers as an affiliate player, McClung’s strong play early in the season earned him two NBA call-ups as he signed two 10-day contracts with the Chicago Bulls. McClung appeared in one game with the Bulls before rejoining South Bay for the 2021-22 NBA G League regular season.

Earlier today, McClung signed a two-way NBA contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.