The Sixers are terrible this year, but if one thing has been glaringly evident, it’s that Jared McCain will be an All-Star at one point in his career. McCain has recently been vaulted into the starting lineup with recent injuries to Tyrese Maxey among many other injuries. McCain is averaging 11.5 ppg with 1.5 assists. Fairly solid stats for a brand-new rookie, but what I see in this kid that puts him levels above other rookies, is his outstanding confidence. McCain is only 20 years old, yet he steps into a shot like he’s been a veteran for 10 years. He doesn’t hesitate, sometimes doesn’t think (sometimes to his downfall), and fires the damn trigger. Now he can make some horrible unforced turnovers, but what I love to see is that he doesn’t let it affect him whatsoever. Like a great boxer, he just keeps coming back to show people how tough he is. The Maxey influence is so heavy in McCain—fearless players who really love basketball and love to win.

McCain has gotten plenty of hate throughout his time at Duke and now in the NBA for his flamboyant dances on social media, but I think those critics and, frankly, bullies have made him tough, bulletproof to the outside world of media and sports fans. I think it’s his personality, he is going to be him and he doesn’t care what other people think. That is so incredibly rare for an athlete, most who are known as being divas and hyper sensitive to sports critics (I’m looking at you KD).

It helps that McCain can definitely hoop; he’s shooting 35% from three and as I’m writing this, he has 32 points and 9 assists against the undefeated Cavs.  Sure, McCain’s minutes will be cut down when Maxey gets back, but at some point, in the future, the Sixers can move him to the two guard and those two will be dynamic. Or he gets traded to another team and he will become a stud. They critique him for not having a true role on the court, as he’s not a true point guard and is only 6’2, but I believe if you can play basketball the right way and with confidence, you can be a star in this league. Jared McCain, without a doubt, will be a great player in the NBA.