Jared McCain Reflects on 1st NBA Matchup with LeBron James After Lakers Beat 76ers

After the Philadelphia 76ers’ 116-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, rookie guard Jared McCain could not be too upset after playing against his idol, LeBron James, for the first time.

“I feel like I say it every single game; Every game is like a dream come true,” McCain said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Keith Pompey. “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].

McCain was selected by the 76ers with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Duke, where he spent just one season.

He has been averaging 8.0 points per game on 33.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc. During Friday’s game, the 20-year-old posted 18 points and two assists, shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, while spending part of his time guarding James on the defensive end.

“It’s insane. I’m on the Philadelphia 76ers, I’m in the NBA and I’m in a possession guarding LeBron James,” McCain said, per Pompey. “If I would have told that to my freshman year, high school self, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s just crazy to even be in this position.”

It is always encouraging to see the fire in young NBA players and their pure excitement for the game while being star-struck by legendary players.

James, 19 years McCain’s senior, went the extra mile to offer some words of encouragement for the rookie during Saturday’s game.

“He actually recognized my parents were in the crowd,” McCain said, per Pompey. “He was like, ‘I see them over there. Keep going.’ Just cool to see someone — again, each is like someone I’ve watched for so long, especially him.”

The 76ers and McCain will look to grab their second win of the season against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.