Jared McCain had one of the best freshman seasons in Duke Blue Devil history. While he generated a lot of buzz for his TikToks and his nail polish, McCain’s play stole the show. Jared McCain should be the first Duke player taken in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Jared McCain 2024 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
McCain came into college with the reputation of a good scorer and sharpshooter but he surpassed everyone’s expectations. He quickly solidified his spot in Duke’s starting lineup as the only freshman amongst several veterans. He also established himself as a high-energy guy who is always going to impact the game regardless of whether shots fall or not.
Ultimately, McCain ended his season averaging 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on 46.2/41.4/88.5 shooting splits and an eFG% of 57.7%. That was good enough to get him on the All-Region team in the NCAA Tournament after an Elite 8 run.
Strengths
When teams discuss McCain, the first thing they will mention is his shooting ability. McCain has a quick trigger and unlimited range. He loves transition threes but can also make shots off of curls or pin-downs. His ability to set his feet and get a shot off regardless of how he got to his spot is remarkable.
35-point explosion for Jared McCain in Duke’s win at Florida State. Ridiculous display of dynamic shot-making hitting 8/11 for 3. pic.twitter.com/kMG5ktA6Lp
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 17, 2024
For a 6’3 guard, McCain rebounds like crazy. He averaged five rebounds per game on a team with other good rebounders and big bodies and even had multiple double-doubles. Rebounding is all about effort and that is the easy explanation for why McCain is such a good rebounder. The other would be his basketball IQ. It seems as though he is always in the right place at the right time and when you add that to his physical frame he becomes a great rebounder.
Finally, but most importantly, Jared McCain has the best attitude and work ethic of any player in this draft. Just this season, McCain completely revolutionized the attitude of his Duke teammates and energized a fanbase. The number of times he was getting shots up an hour after a game is too many to count. Whether he plays well or poorly, the work never changes and that is the key to a long and successful career. With that, he is just a happy guy and his energy is infectious. Look no further than his TikTok for proof.
Here is Jared McCain and the “Positive Potato.” pic.twitter.com/1bZsaI58RL
— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) February 29, 2024
Weaknesses
At 6’3 with average NBA athleticism, McCain is limited in who he can cover. He likely will need to be protected by a big wing because he does not have the size to contend with NBA wings. Also, he lacks the lateral quickness to cover most star guards. He is a willing defender but effort can only take you so far if you’re at a size disadvantage. Late in the season, McCain found himself guarding bigger wings and they frequently took him to the block and just shot over him.
The only other area that can be questioned for McCain is his shot selection. What great shooter does not have questionable shot selection at times though? As mentioned, McCain loves his transition threes and there were a few instances he pulled up and took a bad shot. Also, with his average speed/quickness, he can find himself with tough midrange jumpers at times. Working to optimize his shot selection will go a long way.
NBA Player Comparison
McCain is a tough player to compare. He is a phenomenal shooter with a solid playmaking ability and great energy and effort. However, he is undersized. The two players that come to mind are Klay Thompson and Ben Gordon. McCain is going to have a long NBA career and there is no doubt about it. His energy, attitude, and shooting ability mean that he can play for anyone. He should be expected to consistently be one of the best shooters in the league every year. Don’t forget he will probably end up with one of the highest-selling jerseys and Instagram/TikTok followings too.
2024 NBA Draft Projection
Late lottery.
