Jared Mccain

McCain shot 39% from three at Duke and that translated immediately to the NBA. The 16th-pick value is rare. The TikTok-celebrity ceiling is even rarer. Here's the honest read on what he is and the merch worth your money.

What he actually is on the court

McCain is a movement shooter who can also handle pick-and-roll. The Duke numbers (14.5 ppg, 47.6 FG%, 39 from three) translated, which surprises nobody who watched him there. The thing that did surprise is his ball-screen IQ — he's playing like a fourth-year guard, not a 20-year-old rookie.

The Sixers' situation around him is the catch. Embiid's health, Maxey's role, the team's pace — all of it affects how much rope he gets. If he stays healthy and the Sixers stay competitive, he's a 17-19 ppg guy by year three. If the team falls apart, he becomes a trade chip.

The jersey

McCain's jersey is the Sixers' best-selling rookie jersey of the year. The Nike Swingman is around $130 at the official NBA store. A McCain Sixers jersey on eBay runs $50-80 for the same product, often unworn. The Statement edition (cream and royal) is the cleaner option.

If you want the Duke alternate: Duke McCain jerseys are around $60 from licensed sellers. Wear it ironically or earnestly, neither answer is wrong.

The shoes

McCain wears Curry Brand on court — he signed with them out of college. The Curry Flow 12 or 13 in the $130-170 range are what he's actually playing in. They're light, the traction is excellent, and they look better than most signature shoes from the era.

If you actually play and want what feels best, the Kyrie Infinity at around $120 is the boring better answer for a movement guard. Sorry.

Watching the Sixers

League Pass is the right answer if you live outside Philadelphia. $15/month for the team package and you can skip the blackouts. NBC Sports Philadelphia carries the local broadcasts if you're in-market.

For the home-viewing setup: a 55-inch 4K TV is the entry point. Anything smaller and the fast-break play looks like ants. A Fire TV Stick 4K at $50 handles League Pass without lag.

The basketball if you actually play

The official Spalding NBA game ball is now Wilson as of the league switch. $150 and it lasts. For outdoor play, get the rubber outdoor version at $40 — the leather ones die fast on concrete.

The thing about McCain

The TikTok stuff is real. The court game is also real. Both can be true. The mistake is dismissing him as the cookie guy without watching him pull up from 26 feet off a step-back. Watch him. He's worth your league-pass time.