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Jared McCain · Anything but starstruck, even with both the Philadelphia 76ers’ blue-colored stars at his uniform’s side, and an eight-time All-Star blocking his path, Jared McCain shined as brightly as one reasonably could during a four-minute NBA debut. Veteran-like in his ability to use Damian Lillard’s defensive leverage against him — and intuitively turn to a switch-hand dribble to prevent a potential reacharound steal — McCain balances himself at the free throw area with only the long-limbed Brook Lopez blocking his path. Trusting a shot that often served him well as a Blue Devil, McCain calmly collects bucket No. 1 of his NBA career on a smooth midrange pull-up. A shorthanded rotation would ultimately lead to a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on October 23, 2024. Fearless in high-leverage matchups on both ends of the floor nonetheless, the 76ers’ 2024 No. 16 selection maximized his time, producing four points (on two-of-three shooting) alongside two rebounds. · State of Mint