The Philadelphia 76ers are counting on Jared McCain to be a major part of their bounce-back effort after last season’s 24-58 campaign, and the young guard says he’s on track to be ready when the 2025–26 season tips off.
McCain’s rookie year was cut short after just 23 games when he suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee in December, requiring surgery. Before the injury, the No. 16 pick in the 2024 draft had averaged 15.3 points per game and shot 38.3% from deep, quickly emerging as a potential Rookie of the Year candidate.
Adjusting to the NBA Grind
Reflecting on his first months in the league, McCain said the biggest learning curve wasn’t on the court, but in handling the schedule. The nonstop rhythm of practices, games, and travel quickly became a challenge.
“I think the biggest adjustment was probably just the like, the pace was different, for sure, but a lot of it was just adjusting to the travel,” McCain told reporters. “Like, just, there’s so many games, and, I mean, I only played 23 I think so it was like, in those short time, I was like, we’re traveling, back to backs. So I got to get used to that.”
The former Duke standout added that while the NBA’s speed of play was a factor, the grind of flights, hotels, and quick turnarounds between games was unlike anything he had experienced before. College basketball offered days between contests and a lighter travel load, but the NBA’s demanding schedule left little room for recovery.
That reality has also shaped his approach to rehab. McCain said part of preparing for Year 2 is strengthening his surgically repaired knee and building the conditioning and recovery habits to better withstand the grind. The Sixers want him to be ready for the physical demands of an 82-game season, something he now understands requires as much discipline off the court as it does on it.
Jared McCain’s Recovery Progress
McCain has spent the offseason rehabbing his knee and slowly ramping up basketball activity. While no firm timetable has been set for full clearance, he reported steady progress and optimism about his status.
“I think right now, it’s just kind of taking it day by day,” McCain said. “I’m getting on-court, doing a lot of stuff, a lot of live stuff, but I still have to talk to them about exactly if I’m free for everything, but I’m definitely getting there.”
The 21-year-old added that he expects to take part in training camp.
“Yeah, my plan, for sure, is to participate,” he said. “I mean, anything can happen, but for right now, I’m on pace, and I’m doing great for that.”
The Philadelphia 76ers open the regular season on Oct. 22 in Boston. If Jared McCain’s recovery continues on schedule, he could be ready to contribute from the start, giving the team a much-needed boost after an injury-plagued year.