Duke Basketball Newcomer Grabs NBA's Attention in California

Everywhere he goes, Duke basketball's Jared McCain is a standout performer.

Matt Giles | Aug 6, 2023

Duke Basketball Newcomer Grabs NBA's Attention in California /

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Duke Blue Devils

There's no telling if Duke basketball rookie guard and TikTok sensation Jared McCain will be a one-and-done collegian.

Given the abundance of backcourt weapons on tap for the Blue Devils, it's possible the McDonald's All-American 3-point champ out of Sacramento won't even draw a starting nod next season under second-year head coach Jon Scheyer. But McCain's gifts and reportedly dogged workout mentality may demand more than a reserve role.

In light of his recent brilliance at the CP3 Elite Guard Camp in Los Angeles, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound sturdy playmaker looks more and more like a projected first-round draft pick in 2024.

On Saturday afternoon, ESPN's top NBA draft expert, Jonathan Givony, labeled McCain "the best player on the floor" across the two-day camp. Givony provided the following slo-mo highlights and analysis of the Blue Devils' new potent perimeter threat, noting that "NBA guys are high on him":

Duke's Jared McCain was the best player on the floor in both days of the CP3 elite guard camp. Elite worker, has changed his body, improved his ball-handling and finishing, and plays with tremendous feel and unselfishness. NBA guys are high on him. pic.twitter.com/g4hu6drmNS
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 5, 2023

Consider the camp's talent consisted of the host, 12-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, alongside a few dozen of the nation's most heralded prep and college guards. They included Duke basketball senior captain Jeremy Roach plus a pair of prime 2025 Blue Devil recruiting targets in Cayden Boozer and Meleek Thomas.

Jared McCain arrived on campus in June at No. 13 on the 247Sports 2023 Composite. He is one of four five-star additions in Durham to complement a returning cast of eight scholarship players, including Roach and three other starters from a 2022-23 bunch that won the ACC Tournament and finished 27-9.

The 2023-24 Duke basketball team appears a lock to begin the season somewhere among the top five in the polls, most likely in the top three.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily doses of Duke basketball news.

Published Aug 6, 2023

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.