Blue Devil Country

Decades-Apart Duke Basketball Products Connect at Golf Event

A late-1980s Duke basketball big man will be on the call for Jared McCain's rookie performances.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball guard Jared McCain
Duke basketball guard Jared McCain / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jared McCain may be the only Duke basketball talent on the 2024-25 Philadelphia 76ers roster. But there is another pair of former Blue Devils in town.

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Late-1990s Duke basketball star and two-time NBA All-Star forward Elton Brand has been the franchise's general manager since 2018, playing a role in Philadelphia drafting the sharpshooting McCain at No. 16 overall back in late June.

And then there's longtime NBC Sports Philadelphia 76ers analyst Alaa Abdelnaby, a 1986-1990 Duke basketball big man who played 134 games as a Blue Devil and made three straight Final Four appearances before carving out a five-year NBA career, including his final stop with the Sixers.

On Sunday morning, the 56-year-old Egyptian-born Alaa Abdelnaby posted a picture of his recent chat with Philadelphia's new 20-year-old Blue Devil and TikTok sensation from California in Jared McCain:

Abdelnaby and McCain were on hand in Carroll, Iowa, to support 76ers head coach and Iowa native Nick Nurse at his Golf & Music event, including Friday's Nick Nurse Charity Invitational, celebrating the grand reopening of the course he recently purchased in order to save, Carroll National Golf Club.

McCain and the Sixers tip off their 2024-25 regular season at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 23.

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Matt Giles

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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