Transitioning from college basketball to the NBA is never easy, and Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain is experiencing that firsthand. Drafted 16th overall out of Duke, McCain was known for his sharpshooting ability, boasting a 41.4% three-point shooting percentage in college. However, his adjustment to the NBA has been challenging, as reflected in his Summer League performance where he struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 28.2% from beyond the arc in Las Vegas.
Despite a rocky start, McCain is displaying the right mindset, focusing on learning and growth. He understands the importance of soaking up knowledge from the seasoned veterans around him, as he shared with Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Kyle [Lowry] is somebody I watched his NBA highlights, just being a bigger, stockier guard. Tyrese [Maxey] is a younger player that I can learn from, and Joel [Embiid] as an MVP, I can learn just any ins and outs. Paul George, Reggie Jackson, the whole lineup is just people I can learn from. That’s really what I’m most excited for. Even if I don’t play, whatever happens, I’m just here to learn as much as possible so I can take it as far as I can.”
McCain’s approach is exactly what coaches and teammates want to see in a rookie. He’s positioning himself as a sponge, ready to absorb as much knowledge as possible from proven NBA talents like Kyle Lowry, Tyrese Maxey, and reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
While McCain’s shooting struggles in Summer League might raise concerns, there’s confidence that his shot will come around. For now, earning playing time will be McCain’s primary challenge. As an off-ball shooting guard, he finds himself behind veterans like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Eric Gordon in the depth chart. With the 76ers focused on contending under head coach Nick Nurse, minutes will be tough to come by for the rookie.
However, if McCain can rediscover his shooting touch and continue to demonstrate a strong work ethic, he could carve out a role in the rotation, potentially sharing the court with experienced players like Reggie Jackson. This would not only give him valuable game experience but also more opportunities to learn on the job.
Jared McCain journey is just beginning, and his willingness to embrace the learning process could be key to his long-term success in the NBA.
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