With the addition of the Boozer twins, Jon Scheyer has landed multiple five-star prospects in each of his four recruiting classes.
Duke basketball coach [autotag]Jon Scheyer[/autotag] did something on Friday that’s become a frequent occurrence since he took over the Blue Devils: he reeled in a commitment from a five-star prospect.
Cameron and Cayden Boozer, two of the top 25 prospects in the Class of 2025 recruiting rankings, announced their commitments to the Blue Devils on Friday, making them the first two members of Scheyer’s 2025 recruiting class.
Both brothers are five-star talents according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, meaning that 13 such players have now committed to Scheyer since the Class of 2022.
The 2024 recruiting class has obviously been the talk of the school this summer with top-ranked freshman [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag] and 7-foot Olympian [autotag]Khaman Maluach[/autotag] leading a roster that looks like a preseason favorite to win the national championship.
Wisconsin native Kon Knueppel vaulted all the way to sixth on ESPN’s prospect ranking after analyst Jonathan Givony watched him in practice, and Isaiah Evans was named North Carolina Mr. Basketball in each of his last two seasons of high school.
[autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag], now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers after his impressive freshman season, was one of two five-star prospects in the Class of 2023, and Scheyer’s first recruiting class was almost as loaded as this year’s. Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, two-time All-ACC forward Kyle Filipowski, and returning starter Tyrese Proctor highlighted a class with five five-star signees.
While the blue-chip talent hasn’t translated to a national championship yet, it’s still produced an ACC tournament title and a trip to the Elite Eight in Scheyer’s first two seasons. With Flagg and the Boozers both zeroed in on championships (and some 2024 signees likely to still be in Durham when the twins arrive in 2025), the odds of a sixth title only climb with each passing year.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie and TikTok star Jared McCain spoke to USA TODAY’s For The Win.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain will bring his infectious energy from Duke to the pros during his NBA career.
McCain, who was selected with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is also widely known for his popular TikTok account. With more than 3 million followers on the social media platform, he often shares a fresh and candid perspective on his life as a professional basketball player.
“I think my social media persona displays a certain side of me,” McCain told USA TODAY’s For The Win. “But I’m a hard-working player doing what I need to do on the court to help my team win. So if that’s being a dog or however people see my game, I’m going to do whatever I can to help the team win.”
McCain isn’t yet sure how his TikTok presence will impact how other pros play against him.
But he is excited to find out when the regular-season begins and he is matched up against the elite of the elite.
“I don’t know how other NBA players view me,” McCain added. “But we will just see when we get out there and play.”
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
What can you share about your offseason?
(Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
McCain: I had to get a place in Philly and get moved in and do all the little things I had to do to move into my own spot. I definitely had to work on my game. I was watching film with coaches and by myself and stayed in the gym. I was doing stuff I will be doing this season: Catch and shoot, a lot of stuff I’ve been doing my whole life, but perfecting it as much as I can to play this season. Coming into the NBA, there is so much unknown. So for me, it’s doing a little bit of everything but mostly focusing on my main role as a catch-and-shoot guy in the corners when they go and double Paul George or Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey. I’m going to be able to make that catch-and-shoot shot. I’m obviously always trying to be a primary ball handler so I’m trying to perfect that and come off ball screens and make the right reads. I’m trying to learn as much as I can and get that catch-and-shoot perfected.
How were your workouts with your new teammates?
McCain: The workouts were really cool. It was really cool getting to know them and see how they actually work and how they play. We had some training with the team separately and then we played at the Rico Hines runs. It was really cool to get to know them and talk to them because these are people I will spend a lot of time with in this long season. So it was really cool to see Paul George catch the ball in the mid-post and shoot a jumper. That was cool for me. One of my strengths is being able to adapt to any situation so I’m excited to learn my role, whatever it’s going to be. Obviously, there are things you think will happen and it may not be that. But I’ll be ready. I have a quick release. If my man leaves to go double one of them, I’m ready to knock that down.
How was it meeting Paul George as a guest on his podcast?
McCain: It’s pretty crazy that he’s my teammate considering I’ve watched him since I was in middle school. It was pretty surreal to meet him before the podcast was recorded. I’ve watched his podcast before, so going on it was amazing for me. Sometimes, it doesn’t feel real that I’m in the NBA. I walk in the locker room and I see Joel Embiid’s locker or Paul George’s locker. It’s so crazy to me. But it’s obviously really fun getting to see them up close and learn from them. It will probably feel real when I’m in the locker room and putting on my Philadelphia 76ers jersey and getting ready for a regular-season game will be wild.
What are your expectations for Duke this season?
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
McCain: Oh yeah. I’m very excited to watch them. It’s so weird just being a fan now and not a player even though I was only there for a few months. But I’m really excited. The practices I’ve seen, they look good. I’m just super excited to watch them play this season. It’s basically like my second home. It’s not too far from Philly. Getting to know the other Duke players in the NBA when I was there, they would come back. Jayson Tatum would come play pickup with us. It’s so cool that there are so many Duke players in the NBA that I’m able to talk to and ask for advice.
Patrick Beverley gave you advice. What other advice have you received from pros?
(Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
McCain: A lot of stuff I’ve asked players, they say I need to continue to be myself. You don’t have to put on a show for anyone else. Always stay true to yourself. Have fun with it. That just reiterates what I always do for myself. I always try to have fun and joy on the court. So to have people who have been there and done that tell me that it’s exactly what I need to do gives me more confidence for sure.
Have you and Tyrese Maxey talked about bringing positivity to the backcourt?
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
McCain: We haven’t talked about that, specifically, but a lot of people have mentioned it to me throughout this facility being on the 76ers with him. It’s really cool to have someone positive like him who I can go to for any help and any advice I need. He has been through a situation like mine and he is someone who I am trying to emulate exactly, both with what he does and how he has done it.
What is something that inspires you about Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham?
McCain: Just watching somebody as young as he is dominate how he does, I always love that. He always does it with a smile on his face, too. The stuff he does off the pitch is really to see and something I’m trying to do as well. I love seeing young players thrive and have success early.
How have you liked your move to Philadelphia so far?
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
McCain: The city vibe is a little bit different. I haven’t had too much time to just explore yet but I’m excited to start doing that and see what Philly has to offer. I’ve tried some cheesesteaks. I’ve tried Angelo’s, which was really good. I tried a Chinese restaurant and I’ve probably already had it like five times. Once I get one place I like, I try to stick to it for a long time. I’m definitely willing to try some new things. I want to do more exploring.
If you could make a TikTok with anyone in the NBA, who would it be?
McCain: [Laughs] Probably Stephen Curry! It would be pretty cool to get Curry in a TikTok. Maybe I’ll see one day. I’d have to meet him and get to talk to him a little more about that.
You had a TikTok about journaling in Lyft cars. Do you actually do that?
McCain: It’s funny. Being in Philly, I’m not a big driver out there. It’s pretty easy being able to Lyft and journal in the car. I’m able to do that on the way back to my place or on the way to work. It’s my daily routine, which is journaling and meditation and breathing work and visualization. I also talk to a psychologist. I do all different types of things to help my mind and exercise my mind to get it in peak performance. I’ve said it many times: If my mental health is not right, I’m not going to play the best that I can. So I’m always trying to take care of my mental health, especially playing in the NBA. Everything you do is under a microscope.
Have you gotten recognized much around the city in a Lyft or otherwise?
McCain: That happens a bunch, actually. Especially when I’m going to the facility. It won’t say 76ers practice facility as a destination but it will say that once you get close. The drivers have sometimes said: “Wait, are you a player?” I’m like, uh, yeah. Then sometime they’ll know, like, exactly who I am. Then sometimes they’ll be like: “Oh my goodness!” and ask what number I am going to wear. It’s pretty funny when it happens but they’ve always been cool and it’s pretty easy and pretty nice.
Former Duke teammates Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski played each other in the NBA Summer League in July, a memory McCain called “weird.”
On July 10, former Duke basketball stars [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyle Filipowski[/autotag] did something they’d already done dozens of times together: play a basketball game.
This time, however, they took opposite sides of the floor. McCain played for the Philadelphia 76ers and Filipowski for the Utah Jazz in an NBA Summer League showdown as their professional careers got underway.
“To see him in warmups on the other side, we’re in the tunnel together walking out, he has on a different jersey, like, I only know him in a Duke jersey so it was weird.”
McCain remembered one defensive possession when he tried to box out Filipowski, who is nearly a full foot taller than him, in the paint.
“He was like, ‘Come on, Jared,'” McCain said. “He was like, ‘Come on, Jared, stop.'”
Filipowski and the Jazz ended up winning the game 93-85. Filipowski and McCain both scored two points with the Utah big man snagging five rebounds and McCain pulling down four.
Rachel DeMita, who boasts more than one million Instagram followers, will attend every Duke home game this year and create content with the team.
Blue Devils fans lost social media superstar [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] to the NBA earlier this summer, but there will be another internet celebrity in Durham this fall.
Rachel DeMita, a social media content creator who previously worked with the Big3 basketball league, announced on Thursday that she would attend every home game on the Duke football schedule this season. Her partnership with the team will also include social media content.
The newest member of the Blue Devils content team sports more than one million followers on Instagram. Demita might not match McCain’s millions of followers on TikTok, but she comfortably sits above 400,000 followers on that platform as well.
DeMita’s tenure with the Blue Devils begins on August 30 with the season opener against Elon. Watch her announcement below.
Jared McCain showed the talent that Duke fans saw all of last season on Tuesday night, scoring 21 points in a two-point NBA Summer League victory.
NBA fans got to see the [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] that Duke fans recognized from the 2023-24 season on Tuesday night.
McCain finished with a team-high 21 points for the Philadelphia 76ers in a 92-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, including a perfect nine-for-nine from the free-throw line, during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
The former Blue Devils star and Philadelphia’s first-round draft pick made his last two free throws in the final 10 seconds, building a three-point lead that proved insurmountable.
McCain added seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal to his final stat line. He made five of his 16 attempts from the floor, including two of his eight 3-point attempts.
The performance comes a week after McCain scored 15 points in his NBA Summer League debut. Already one of the most popular rookie prospects in the league thanks to his millions of social media followers, fans continue to get more excited about his fit alongside Philadelphia stars like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and new free agent signing Paul George.
Jon Scheyer’s talked a lot this offseason about his Duke basketball team competing and showing toughness, but what does that mean?
Duke basketball coach [autotag]Jon Scheyer[/autotag] keeps using the words “compete” and “tough” to talk about his vision for the 2024-25 Blue Devils. He praised [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag], the top prospect in the country, for how hard he plays. But what exactly does Scheyer mean when he says stuff like that?
“For me, when I think about competitiveness or toughness, I think about somebody who wants to do it every single day,” Scheyer said. “Not just depending on the game, not just when the lights come on, but does somebody show up every single day.”
Scheyer brought up [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag]’s work ethic a lot during the Philadelphia guard’s freshman season, so it’s safe to assume he’s been a shining recent example of this work ethic. The third-year Duke coach also thinks his older players, from returners Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor to his new transfers, show those same qualities.
“They’ve been incredible,” Scheyer said about his two returning guards. “They’ve been great with looking themselves in the mirror, things they can do better…they’re hungry, ready to go, but I think those three guys from the portal really provide that as well, Mason (Purdue transfer Mason Gillis) in particular.”
After he scored 15 points during an opening victory in his first NBA Summer League game, Jared McCain jumped on SportsCenter to talk ball.
[autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag]’s NBA Summer League debut wasn’t perfect, but the former Blue Devils star still finished his first professional basketball game with 15 points and six rebounds to help lead Philadelphia to a comeback victory on Monday night.
After the win, the newest member of the 76ers jumped on SportsCenter to talk about how his first NBA experience felt.
“It was amazing,” McCain said. “I was so excited to get out there, I was nervous, I had butterflies, but to get out there and just play basketball, it’s what I’ve loved to do since I was a kid.”
“Being at Duke, being on the biggest platform in college basketball, the best program in college basketball, it was just cool to learn from Coach Scheyer, learn from my vets.”
The Sixers went through a pretty complete rehaul this offseason as well, and McCain will get to play alongside stars like Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey.
Jared McCain scored his first NBA Summer League basket on Monday with a full-court burst all the way to the basket against Oklahoma City.
Sure, it’s not the regular season yet, but [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] (kind of) scored his first NBA basket on Monday.
During the Philadelphia 76ers’ first NBA Summer League game against Oklahoma City, McCain took the ball the length of the court early in the first quarter for his first bucket of the game.
With the Thunder’s Adam Flagler guarding McCain as the former Duke star took the ball up the court, McCain weaved to his left and then quickly back to his right to put Flagler in the spin cycle. The first-round pick then turned on the jets to take advantage of the open space in the paint, charging all the way to the glass for an easy layup.
McCain, Philadelphia’s first-round pick in last month’s NBA draft, will start against Oklahoma City in the Sixers’ first Summer League game.
Duke fans will finally get a first look at former Blue Devil [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag] in NBA action on Monday night.
The Philadelphia 76ers play their first game at the Salt Lake City Summer League on Monday night against Oklahoma City, and the team announced McCain earned a spot among the opening starting five.
McCain went to the Sixers with the 16th overall pick in last month’s NBA draft after he averaged 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds during his freshman season. The former five-star prospect scored at least 30 points against Florida State, NC State, and James Madison, with the latter two games coming in the NCAA Tournament, and he made more than 41% of his 3-point attempts.
Adem Bona, Philadelphia’s second-round pick from UCLA, will start alongside McCain. Jeff Dowtin Jr., Ricky Council IV, and Justin Edwards round out the opening lineup.
The game tips off at 7 p.m. Eastern time and Blue Devils fans can watch McCain gain some valuable experience on ESPN.
Caleb Foster will be one of two returning starters in Durham for the 2024-25 season. Check out the best photos from his freshman season here.
[autotag]Caleb Foster[/autotag]’s freshman season got overshadowed by [autotag]Jared McCain[/autotag], a five-star prospect who became a first-round draft pick after multiple 30-point games.
That doesn’t mean Foster should be taken for granted by Blue Devils fans, however. The in-state talent’s debut campaign ended early after a stress fracture in his ankle, but he still ended the 2023-24 season with 7.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He made more than 40% of his 3-point attempts, and he started in 15 of his 27 appearances.
However, Foster and Tyrese Proctor stuck around, and Foster seems poised to take over as one of the leaders of the team during his sophomore season. He’s even gotten NBA draft hype for next year thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame and early prowess as a ball handler.
Here are the best photos from his first season with the Blue Devils.
