Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jared McCain was caught on camera yelling “I’m the Rookie of the Year!” after draining a sixth 3-pointer, his 30th point during Friday night’s 113-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain declared himself Rookie of the Year after swishing his sixth 3-pointer against the Brooklyn Nets
Friday night’s victory was a much-needed win for the Sixers (3-12) in their NBA Cup matchup. McCain, 20, scored a team-high 30 points on 11-of-20 (55%) shooting from the field and 6-of-11 (54.5%) from 3-point range.
Tyrese Maxey added 26 points to help the 76ers end their five-game losing streak.
Maxey and McCain combined to score 19 straight points for the Sixers midway through the fourth quarter, turning a one-point deficit into a 12-point lead.
"I'M THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!"
—Jared McCain 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ezzlIDg4Q9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 23, 2024
McCain told reporters after the game that he was in the “flow state,” which led to his Rookie of the Year declaration.
“I guess I said that,” McCain said.
“You guess?” Maxey replied.
“Yeah, I did say that. It was pretty clear,” McCain went back after his teammate made him maintain his position.
Jared McCain on being caught saying “I’m Rookie of the Year” on camera. Tyrese Maxey was not aware of the audacious claim: pic.twitter.com/5ifx6yq9a1
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) November 23, 2024
Maxey appeared to appreciate McCain’s confidence when asked about McCain’s growth with the Sixers.
“I was ecstatic that we found somebody that can give me relief, and a break, so I don’t have to have the ball in my hand so much,” Maxey said postgame.
“So we have another guy out there who can make plays, can shoot the ball, can play off the ball, on the ball. It just makes the game a lot easier.”
76ers selected McCain 16th overall in the 2024 NBA draft out of Duke
McCain, who the 76ers selected 16th overall in this year’s NBA draft out of Duke, ranks third in free throw shooting percentage (97.1%). He is also 20th in box plus/minus (4.3) and 11th in offensive box plus/minus (5.3).
Through 15 games (five starts), McCain is averaging 16.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 23.7 minutes per game while shooting 48.4% from the floor and 42.7% from beyond the arc.
The 6-foot-2 McCain has now scored at least 20 points in seven straight games. In Philadelphia’s 114-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 13, he recorded career highs of 34 points and 10 assists in his first NBA career start.
According to Basketball-Reference, McCain is the fifth Sixers rookie to string together five games of at least 20 points, joining Joel Embiid, Allen Iverson, and Jerry Stackhouse.
Other rookies such as L.A.’s Dalton Knecht, Memphis’ Jaylen Wells, and Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher have appealed to bettors. Though, McCain is the current odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year, per NBA betting sites.
McCain’s emergence comes at the perfect time, as the Sixers are ravaged by injuries. Of course, 2022-23 MVP center Joel Embiid (left knee swelling) and All-Star forward Paul George (left knee bone bruise) remain out.
Both Embiid and George are expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers before being re-evaluated early next week.
