Jared McCain discusses what he wants to achieve in year 2 with Sixers

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers selected Jared McCain with the No. 16 pick of the 2024 draft and the young guard out of Duke provided some good production averaging 15.3 points, 2.

6 assists, and 2.4 rebounds. Through the first 23 games of the season, McCain was the clear frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award.



However, McCain suffered an unfortunate lateral meniscus tear in his left knee in December and was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery. The rookie guard is on his way to making a full recovery and is hoping to make an impact in his second season in Philadelphia. “I think building good chemistry with the people we have or are going to have," McCain said of year 2.

"Obviously, getting healthy. Really just getting back out there and feeling comfortable again on the court. It may take some games.

Whatever the universe needs me to go through, that’s what I’m going to go through. Whatever happens is going to happen, so I’ll learn from my mistakes, learn from everything and just get back out there. Feel comfortable playing basketball again.

"In terms of him continuing to make preparations for his second NBA season, McCain is taking developmental work from assistant coach Rico Hines who has an interesting way of making sure the 21-year-old guard is ready for the challenges of having to score as well as make plays for others from the perimeter."Rico calls it basketball yoga," McCain smiled. "Different mind games, making different reads with stationary stuff.

He’ll hold up a number and I’ve got to speak it. Or that means something, and I’ve got to do something that means the 'two.' It’s been great for my mind and getting my handle right and shooting a lot of no-jump shots.

"When considering the strong showing McCain showed as a rookie, if he continues to take strides in the summer, then he will be a big part of Philadelphia's plans for the 2025-26 season. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Jared McCain discusses what he wants to achieve in year 2 with Sixers.