Jared McCain Says Scrutiny During Year At Duke Has Prepared Him For The Philadelphia 76ers: ‘I’m Ready For It’

Jared McCain is making his NBA debut and will be joining the Philadelphia 76ers. The 20-year-old was the 16th pick as part of the 2024 NBA draft on June 26.

Prior to the announcement, McCain has stood out at Duke University , where he has experienced his share of public scrutiny.

“At Duke, it’s a big platform in college,” McCain said as part of a virtual press conference, according to NBC Sports . “Obviously that comes with a lot of hate and a lot of scrutiny wherever you go, but I think that’s prepared me for where I’m at, especially with Philly. So I think I’m ready for it.”

In the public sphere, the basketball star is also known for his presence on social media and his sense of style . McCain currently has 2.9 million TikTok followers. He started growing his platform during his freshman year of high school and has since maintained his online presence aside from his basketball career.

“It was literally never a distraction,” Duke head coach Jon Scheyer recently told Sports Illustrated . “Once you’re around him, you realize he’s one of the few, maybe ever, to be able to handle both [basketball and social media] and still be all the way into everything that it takes to be a successful basketball player.”

McCain regularly shares his personal style, whether he is sharing outfits such as his double-breasted cropped Dolce & Gabbana at the NBA Draft ceremony or showcasing his latest painted manicure.

“At an early age I’ve always been told to just be myself, like I’m always just gonna be myself and as for the painted nails, I saw it during quarantine and I just started doing it,” he told Complex in an interview. “ I never saw anything wrong with it like. I understand girls do it. I understand men have started to do it a little more recently, but it was just something I saw and I like to get manicures and pedicures. I take care of my body.”

McCain’s passion for fashion and beauty has led to several brand deals and appearances in ad campaigns. He also starred in an ad for Skims and has partnered with American Eagles and beauty company Sally Hensen.