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76ers Rookie Captures First NBA Monthly Honor Since Ben Simmons

Jared McCain becomes the first Philadelphia 76ers player to earn a rookie honor since Ben Simmons.

Justin Grasso

Nov 30, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (20) dribbles on Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (20) dribbles on Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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On Tuesday, the NBA announced its winners for Rookie of the Month. Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain earns the monthly accolade, representing the Eastern Conference.

On the other side of the league, Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells won it, representing the Western Conference.

With that accomplishment, McCain becomes the seventh player in 76ers history to earn Rookie of the Month. He ties Jerry Stackhouse, who had just one in 1995-1996.

The last time a Sixers player won Rookie of the Month was back in March 2018. Ben Simmons was a recipient for the fourth time that year. By the end of the season, Simmons was acknowledged as the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, beating out former Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.

Across October and November, McCain averaged 16 points, which led all rookies across the league. McCain knocked down 45 percent of his shots from the field. While taking six threes per game, McCain was successful on 36 percent of his shots.

Along with his scoring, McCain came down with three rebounds per game while producing three assists per game.

Considering McCain admitted that one of his goals this season is to win Rookie of the Year, he’s off to an excellent start, as he won the first major rookie accolade this season.

The former Duke guard joins an elite company with his accolade. Along with Stackhouse, McCain is in the same conversation as Allen Iverson, Michael Carter-Williams, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and Simmons. Another Rookie of the Year nod would help McCain tie Iverson and Saric.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA

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