Basketball
Pros and cons of 76ers taking Jared McCain of Duke basketball in 2024 NBA draft
Video: Duke basketball’s Jared McCain lights up NCAA Tournament
Freshman Jared McCain dropped 30 points and Duke record 8 3-pointers for an NCAA Tournament game in Sunday’s rout of James Madison in the Round of 32.
Duke basketball’s Jared McCain was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday in Brooklyn.
McCain was taken with the No. 16 overall pick. The Blue Devils have had a player picked in the first round in 12 of the last 13 drafts.
McCain averaged 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds at Duke, drilling 41.4% of his 3-pointers in his freshman season with the Blue Devils. The 6-foot-2 guard made multiple 3s in 24 of 36 games as one of top shooters in the nation and set an NCAA Tournament record for Duke with eight 3-pointers against James Madison.
He was the first freshman in tournament history to score at least 30 points with no turnovers.
Two of McCain’s three games with 30 or more points came in March Madness. He scored a career-high 35 points in a regular-season win at Florida State and closed the season with 32 in the Elite Eight loss to N.C. State.
Here’s what McCain can bring to the NBA.
Jared McCain positives
McCain has in-the-gym range, capable of knocking down jumpers with his smooth shooting stroke from all over the court. He consistently had a knack for drilling pull-up 3s, catch-and-shoot 3s or jumpers off the dribble. Almost always controlled and balanced with how he attacked defenders, McCain has a great feel for the pace of a game. He also proved to be a valuable rebounder for the Blue Devils.
Jared McCain concerns
McCain has the knowledge and will to be a plus defender, but he struggled at times with his lateral quickness against bigger offensive threats. Despite his balance and ability to get to the rim, McCain is a below-the-rim finisher who will have to get creative against NBA wings.
Final thoughts on Jared McCain’s NBA future
Arguably the best shooter on the board, McCain always seemed to bring his best under the brightest lights for the Blue Devils. He logged some of his best performances at NBA arenas as a freshman and was an underrated rebounder. He’s a safe bet to be a long-term player in the league.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
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