Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Freshman Guard Jared McCain Snags National Honor

Jared McCain, growing in confidence as a volume Duke basketball sharpshooter, is now an award-winning Blue Devil.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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On Tuesday afternoon, emerging Duke basketball perimeter weapon Jared McCain was named the CBS Sports/United States Basketball Writers Association Freshman of the Week.

In Wednesday night's 78-70 win over then-10th-ranked Baylor in Madison Square Garden, the former five-star recruit from California helped power the now-No. 16 Blue Devils (8-3, 0-1 ACC) with his game-high 21 points (tying the career-high he posted in a win over Charlotte on Dec. 9).

Against the Bears, McCain shot 7-for-11 from the field, 3-for-6 beyond the arc, and 4-for-4 at the charity stripe, adding two rebounds, three assists, and one steal across his 36 minutes on the floor.

That big-time victory, the first against a top-10 team in the two seasons of the Jon Scheyer era, was Duke basketball's only outing last week. But it was enough for the 6-foot-3, 195-pound McCain to earn the distinction as the nation's premier rookie for the week.

Jared McCain, an upbeat 19-year-old who has started all 11 games for the Blue Devils this season and doubles as a TikTok sensation with over two million followers, is Duke's fourth-leading scorer at 10.5 points per game (one of five on the roster averaging double figures).

And McCain leads the squad in 3-point makes, shooting 44.9 percent from deep on 4.5 attempts per contest.

He and the Blue Devils enjoy a three-game winning streak heading into their home bout against Queens at 2 p.m. ET Saturday (The CW).

Analyst Compares Duke's Jon Scheyer to Three National Champs

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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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