Overview
McCain is one-and-done after joining the Blue Devils as a five-star recruit, a 2023 McDonald’s All-American and California Mr. Basketball. McCain also won gold while representing the United States at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship. A viral content creator with nearly three million followers on TikTok, McCain averaged 14.3 points on 46.2% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 36 starts this season
Analysis
McCain’s pedigree carried over to two 30-point performances in the NCAA Tournament, as well as seven games with at least four made 3s this season — flashes of serious next-level scoring ability. Scoring is the appeal, as McCain is a two-way competitor but shouldn’t be considered as a sure-fire asset on the defensive end in the NBA. Offensively, he ranked in the 81st percentile for off-the-dribble shooting efficiency, while also knocking down 42.1% of 160 catch-and-shoot 3s on the year. McCain can put the ball on the deck as well, converting 62.5% of his shots at the rim while ranking in the 37th percentile for frequency among guards nationwide. Being an attentive defender and possessing a sturdy frame work in his favor as well, but McCain’s size nonetheless shifts pressure to his offense translating.
Projection
McCain almost never turned the ball over (453rd-lowest TO rate in the nation), finishing with a modest but commendable 68/47 assist-to-turnover ratio. His decision-making as a freshman shows combo-guard upside, but expect McCain to settle in as a shooter off the bench in his first NBA season. Lonnie Walker IV is a more explosive athlete (McCain only had one dunk at Duke), but an offensively-oriented guard like Walker – or the ongoing twilight years of Eric Gordon – represent the vision of McCain’s floor. His ability to shoot off screens will provide offensive utility, while a swing factor to monitor will be his handle.
— Profile by RotoWire