Mac McClung had plenty of opportunities to continue his career elsewhere in Europe, including significant interest from EuroLeague teams.
However, the American guard ultimately chose FIATC Girona for reasons that went beyond salary or the level of competition.
According to McClung, more than 10 EuroLeague clubs had approached him with offers during the previous two years.
Despite those possibilities, maximizing his earnings was not his priority when considering his next destination.
“I told my agent, ‘I don’t want to chase the most money. It doesn’t matter,’” McClung said.
Rather than simply accepting the most lucrative proposal, McClung and his representative focused on finding a situation where he felt personally comfortable and confident about the people around him.
“Over the last two years, I had over 10 EuroLeague offers. My agent and I agreed on following our hearts,” he explained.
Girona separated itself from the other options after McClung held conversations with coach Moncho Fernández, general manager Fernando San Emeterio and Marc Gasol.
Speaking with all three on the same day gave him a strong impression of the organization and helped convince him that Girona could provide the environment he was seeking.
“When I talked to Moncho Fernández, the general manager, and Marc Gasol, all in the same day, I think this feels like home,” McClung said.
The former NBA guard emphasized that neither financial considerations nor playing in a larger arena determined his choice.
Feeling connected to the organization and comfortable away from the United States mattered more.
“It was never about a certain amount of money or how big the arena is,” he said. “I just wanted to go somewhere that kind of felt like home away from home.”
