The Philadelphia 76ers’ top pick from the 2024 NBA draft, former Duke Blue Devils guard Jared McCain, made a notable impression in his NBA debut.
Stellar Debut Performance
On Monday, the 76ers faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their opening summer league game, where McCain showcased the talent that secured him the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft. The former Blue Devil concluded the night with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Highlights from McCain’s debut in Salt Lake City can be seen in the video below.
Mixed Outcomes
While McCain was a standout in Philadelphia’s 102-92 victory, he experienced some rookie jitters. The 76ers point guard shot 6-15 from the field and missed all six of his three-point attempts. Additionally, McCain went 3-5 from the free-throw line. Despite these challenges, he committed just one turnover, demonstrating his ball-handling skills.
Upcoming Game
76ers fans will have another chance to watch McCain in action on Tuesday when the team takes on the Memphis Grizzlies. The game is set for a 7:00 PM ET tip-off and can be viewed live on ESPN or streamed via the ESPN app.
McCain Reflects on Duke’s Impact
After just one season at Duke, McCain’s NBA aspirations came true last week when he was selected 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. His draft moment was covered extensively by ESPN and ABC, as well as on McCain’s social media platforms.
Balancing Basketball and Social Media
In addition to his on-court prowess, McCain is well-known for his social media presence, particularly on TikTok, where he boasts 3.3 million followers. In his first interview as a 76er, McCain humorously compared himself to characters from High School Musical.
“I get a lot of the Troy Bolton comparisons, Corbin Bleu comparisons. That’s my player comp right now,” McCain said with a smile. “It’s kind of cool to have two different lives, the social media and the basketball.”
McCain emphasized the fun he derives from combining his online presence with his basketball career. “I try to have fun, that’s literally the main thing I do with life,” he said. “I talk to God about it a lot every day and bring that onto the court. I’m just having fun and doing what I loved since I was four years old.”