Sixers first-round pick has high expectations for rookie season

The Philadelphia 76ers used the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to add another potential instant-impact guard to their backcourt. 

While former Duke Blue Devil Jared McCain may not slot into a starter's role in the immediate future, he does have the upside to make an impact early on in his NBA career.

McCain certainly does not lack confidence ahead of his first season at the NBA level, as he told the media on Tuesday about his draft availability, saying that he's "visualizing winning Rookie of the Year," according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The 6-foot-3 guard made an impact at a high level for the Blue Devils, averaging 31.6 minutes per game and tallying marks of 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field a strong 41.4 percent from three-point range. Considering he was on a Duke roster that featured five players who averaged double-digits in scoring, McCain's ceiling looks to be even higher potentially.

The Sixers have a lot of areas to fill out on their roster, which is essentially a blank slate entering the 2024-25 NBA offseason with the exception of Joel Embiid, Paul Reed and likely Tyrese Maxey, who's expected to sign an extension. McCain could be primed for a big role with Philadelphia in his rookie season, especially if the front office and head coach Nick Nurse are confident in his ability to make a major impact early on.