Texas Basketball: 3 players Beard coached who’re still trying to find a home

Mac McClung, G

A potential transfer portal addition for Beard and the Longhorns that I’ve been high on so far this offseason as a real possibility that could benefit this program is the former coveted three-star recruit and junior guard Mac McClung. As a recruiting sensation back in the day from his hyped-up highlight films on social media, the talent finally stuck out for McClung in his last two seasons.

Yet, the problem for McClung of late is the lack of a consistent role with one team. He originally took his talents to join the Georgetown Hoyas in the Big East at the outset of his college career. But he put his name in the transfer portal for the first time in his career last offseason, before landing with Beard and the Red Raiders.

McClung wound up having his best season of his college career to date with Beard and the Red Raiders in the season that was. He averaged 15.5 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And McClung shot 41.9 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 79.3 percent from the free-throw line.

Wherever McClung lands next could be his final destination of his college career. And if he sticks around with Beard and makes the move to the Forty Acres, then he could continue to bolster his NBA Draft stock and improve his counting stats and advanced metrics. Last season, he registered a career-best 5.6 box plus/minus rating and .169 win shares per 40 minutes.