Rookie guard Jared McCain, picked 16th overall by the 76ers in the 2024 draft, got a dream opportunity in his first NBA game. On November 8, he faced his idol, LeBron James, during a nail-biting 116-106 loss to the Lakers.
Even though his team lost, McCain couldn’t hide his excitement and gratitude for the experience. McCain said, “I feel like I say it every single game; Every game is like a dream come true.”
He added, “Obviously, we’re trying to win every game and every possession. We’re trying to get a stop. But I always look back like five years ago [and] think about what I would have thought [and] how I’m feeling [currently].”
The moment with LeBron James didn’t end on the court. After the game, the 39-year-old star gave McCain a special gift—a signed No. 23 jersey which meant a lot to the rookie.
LeBron James encourages Jared McCain
Since joining the team, Jared McCain has averaged 8.0 points per game with 33.3% shooting. On Friday, the 20-year-old scored 18 points and made two assists, shooting 44.4% from three-point range. LeBron James, who started playing in the NBA before McCain was born, took a moment to offer kind words to the rookie.
“He actually recognized my parents were in the crowd, and he was like, ‘I see them over there. Keep going,'” McCain said. “Just cool to see someone who, again, each game is like someone I’ve watched for so long, especially him.”
Jared McCain took home a signed LeBron jersey after his first game against the Lakers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bFlxxUvC4u
— 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) November 10, 2024
It shows LeBron James’ true leadership as he keeps guiding and supporting the next generation of players, both on and off the court.
