Serious injury sidelines Sacramento native and leading NBA Rookie of the Year candidate
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain was beginning to emerge as an early front-runner for the NBA Rookie of the Year award, but he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future due to an unfortunate injury.
McCain, a 20-year-old Sacramento native and former Duke star, reported left knee soreness following Friday’s 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers. An MRI on Saturday revealed a lateral meniscus tear. The 76ers said the injury will require surgery and McCain will be out indefinitely.
McCain, a 6-foot-3 guard who came out of Duke as the No. 16 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, is averaging 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.7 minutes per game. He is shooting 46% from the field, 38.3% from 3-point range and 87.5% at the free-throw line.
McCain was considered the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Oddsmakers had him ahead of Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Yves Missi, Zaccharie Risacher and fellow Sacramento native Jaylen Wells. Wells, a 6-8 forward, is averaging 11.5 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 39% from 3-point range for the Memphis Grizzlies.
McCain was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November. Wells was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month.
McCain and Wells were born six months apart in Sacramento. McCain, whose family relocated to Southern California, attended Centennial High School before signing with Duke. Wells starred at Folsom High School before going on to Sonoma State and Washington State.
McCain has been one of the lone bright spots for a Philadelphia team that was expected to contend for the NBA championship this season after adding Paul Georgee to a core that featured Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The 76ers have fallen well short of expectations, going 7-16 over the first 23 games while being plagued by injuries.
This story was originally published December 14, 2024 at 4:30 PM.
