Jared McCain – From County Basketball Star to First-Round NBA Pick in a Year

Connor Forbes
Connor Forbes
2 Min Read
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Jared Share smiles after Silver announed McCain as the 16th pick in the draft.

Jared McCain Heading to City of Brotherly Love

“There’s No Words to Describe it”

“With the number 16 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, The Philadelphia 76ʻers select…” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver began and then paused. “Jared McCain, Duke University.

Before there was Duke, there was Corona Centennial, only a year ago. The year McCain captured his second California Gatorade Player of the Year award during another championship season.

“There’s no words to describe it. Iʻm so grateful for this opportunity,” he told former Georgetown star Monica McNutt on ESPNʻs broadcast.

”He worked so damn hard for this,” older brother Jayce added, standing by his little broʻs side. “Itʻs just a big part of my purpose as a person.”

Jayceʻs high school and college career were both impacted by a medical condition, and he has since dedicated himself to pushing his brother.

The 2023 graduate known for his deft shooting touch, entered Duke as a 5-star recruit, helping lead the team to an Elite 8 appearance in this season’s NCAA tournament, as the Blue Devils second-leading scorer. He was third on the team in rebounds and assists.

“He can really knock down shots,” college analyst Jay Bilas said. “He plays a physical game…thereʻs a ton to like about Jared McCain. You just wish he was bigger.”

The uber-personable McCain, who sports an infectious million-dollar smile that has attracted 2 million TikTok followers, is now taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love. A city with a reputation for practicing tough love for its pro athletes, if they perform at anything less than full throttle.

But McCain has built a strong reputation for putting in the hours and on draft night he vowed to be, “a hard worker. Iʻm going to do everything I can to bring home a championship.”

Home, is now Philadelphia.

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Two-time California Gatorade Player of the Year at Corona Centennial, Jared McCain 
Credit: Photo by Jerry Soifer
Two-time California Gatorade Player of the Year at Corona Centennial, Jared McCain. Photo by Jerry Soifer
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