Duke Basketball Newcomer Stands up to UNC Legend in Heated Exchange

Indeed, Jared McCain sounds like a solid addition to the UNC-Duke basketball rivalry.

Duke basketball rookie Jared McCain wasn't the only Blue Devil at last week's Nike Skills Academy in Oregon. But he's the one who went viral for the rivalry smack talk he played a part in initiating with one of the retired NBA talents in attendance, Rasheed Wallace, one of the premier UNC basketball big men (1993-95) in history.

McCain, a 2023 McDonald's All-American who doubles as a TikTok sensation with over two million followers, held the mic to introduce himself during an off-the-court gathering at the event.

As shown in the below video from Nike EYBL's TikTok account and the transcribed dialogue, Wallace let it be known that any proud utterance of the words "Duke University" in his presence requires an immediate interruption. Then McCain informed Wallace and the crowd that he refuses to back down to an all-time Tar Heel:

“UNC did not make the tournament last year”

Jared McCain cooked Rasheed Wallace!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yessir @J_mccain_24 pic.twitter.com/HbgxjPi0YL

— Zion O. (@DukeNBA) August 14, 2023

McCain: "My name is Jared McCain, a freshman at Duke University."

Wallace: *repeatedly coughs loudly*

McCain: "UNC did not make the tournament last year."

Wallace: "Coach K lost his last two games to who?!"

McCain: "UNC did not make the tournament last year!"

Wallace: "Coach K lost his last two games to who?!"

Technically, the answer to Wallace's question is Virginia Tech in the 2022 ACC Tournament title bout on March 12 and UNC at the Final Four three weeks later. The other loss Wallace is referring to, of course, came at the hands of the Tar Heels on March 5 in Mike Krzyzewski's final home game as Duke basketball head coach.

Sure, McCain, one of the Nike Skills Academy standouts, could have pointed out that the Blue Devils, now with senior guard Jeremy Roach being the only regular-rotation piece still in town from that 2021-22 Duke basketball squad, are 2-0 against the Tar Heels under Krzyzewski's successor, Jon Scheyer.

Duke's Jared McCain followed up his strong CP3 camp with a productive showing at Nike Academy; passing, defending and demonstrating his scoring instincts and creativity in scrimmages and drills. pic.twitter.com/YaY6q0pXnM

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 11, 2023

And Wallace could have educated the younger hoopsters in the room on his 4-0 record against Duke across his two-year UNC basketball career.

As it is, though, it's safe to say the rivalry feels about as intense as ever a year and a half into Coach K's retirement.

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