Jared McCain
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:40 am
someone remarked in another thread that we seemed to lack dedicated threads for some of the lottery talents beyond the half dozen we have. Well, here's one for McCain.
He's a very interesting prospect. Like with Sheppard and Dillingham he's playing combo guard. Like them, he's very capable of running an offense in college and like them he's excellent off-ball as either a scorer or secondary facilitator. I think talent-wise these three are very closely stacked. Great shooters, high BBIQ and hard workers. That said, I have McCain higher on my board for a few reasons.
1) he's the best off-ball of the three. Sheppard and Dillingham certainly perform well on C & S threes but they're mostly stationary as Kentucky slashers (them included) collapse the defense and it leaves guys wide open. McCain on the other hand is running all over the court, sideline to sideline, through screens and various actions. Like them he gets his fair share of wide open C&S threes but he also comes off curls resulting in mid-range jumpers and attacking the basket. Dillingham does some of this too but it's very rare for Sheppard. I think McCain is among the best off-ball players in the draft along with others like Karaban and Knecht. This ability guarantees him (and them) roles at the next level.
2) He's bigger. He's probably only 1/2 inch plus taller but he's wider with a more powerful base. This will allow him to defend better against bigger guys on switches. It's also surprisingly allowed him to post guys up though this will likely be limited to college
Here's a photo for size comparisons:
https://breaking-the-press.com/2023-mcdonalds-all-american-game-recap/
He's clearly taller and has tree trunks for legs. I'd say 6'2.5" to Sheppard's 6'2" and Dillingham's 6'1". Bronny at 6'3" and Collier at 6'4" to the left btw.
3) he can create for himself. Obviously not as good as Dillingham off the dribble but just as effective at getting by guys and creating for himself. Much better in this than Sheppard
4) he's a better rebounder. It's not just that he's bigger but it's that he takes pride in it.
Like with Sheppard and Dillingham it's unclear what will translate to the NBA. I think more of his game will than theirs which is why I have him in the lottery. I think he's Desmond Bane 2.0. There's a greater chance he replicates Bane's role but there's also a chance he improves his handle and lateral quickness enough to be able to play point guard and defend the position.
He's a very interesting prospect. Like with Sheppard and Dillingham he's playing combo guard. Like them, he's very capable of running an offense in college and like them he's excellent off-ball as either a scorer or secondary facilitator. I think talent-wise these three are very closely stacked. Great shooters, high BBIQ and hard workers. That said, I have McCain higher on my board for a few reasons.
1) he's the best off-ball of the three. Sheppard and Dillingham certainly perform well on C & S threes but they're mostly stationary as Kentucky slashers (them included) collapse the defense and it leaves guys wide open. McCain on the other hand is running all over the court, sideline to sideline, through screens and various actions. Like them he gets his fair share of wide open C&S threes but he also comes off curls resulting in mid-range jumpers and attacking the basket. Dillingham does some of this too but it's very rare for Sheppard. I think McCain is among the best off-ball players in the draft along with others like Karaban and Knecht. This ability guarantees him (and them) roles at the next level.
2) He's bigger. He's probably only 1/2 inch plus taller but he's wider with a more powerful base. This will allow him to defend better against bigger guys on switches. It's also surprisingly allowed him to post guys up though this will likely be limited to college
Here's a photo for size comparisons:
https://breaking-the-press.com/2023-mcdonalds-all-american-game-recap/
He's clearly taller and has tree trunks for legs. I'd say 6'2.5" to Sheppard's 6'2" and Dillingham's 6'1". Bronny at 6'3" and Collier at 6'4" to the left btw.
3) he can create for himself. Obviously not as good as Dillingham off the dribble but just as effective at getting by guys and creating for himself. Much better in this than Sheppard
4) he's a better rebounder. It's not just that he's bigger but it's that he takes pride in it.
Like with Sheppard and Dillingham it's unclear what will translate to the NBA. I think more of his game will than theirs which is why I have him in the lottery. I think he's Desmond Bane 2.0. There's a greater chance he replicates Bane's role but there's also a chance he improves his handle and lateral quickness enough to be able to play point guard and defend the position.