**Jared McCain Returns from Injury, Focuses on Mindset and Role with Sixers**
Key Takeaways:
- Jared McCain is physically back from knee and thumb injuries but emphasizes mental recovery.
- The second-year Sixers guard is embracing his new bench role in a four-guard rotation.
- Despite shooting struggles, McCain remains confident and focused on long-term development.
MEMPHIS — Jared McCain is trending after his recent comments about balancing physical recovery with mental clarity following a series of injuries that delayed his return to the court. The Philadelphia 76ers guard emphasized mindset over stats as he eases back into a supporting role for the team during the 2024-25 NBA season.
From Start-Stop Injuries to Mental Resilience
Jared McCain, once a Rookie of the Year frontrunner, has endured almost a full year of setbacks, highlighted by a torn meniscus in December 2024 and a thumb ligament tear in September. Now physically cleared, he declared Tuesday in Memphis that the final piece is mental—the confidence to trust his body through explosive movements like rebounding and contesting shots.
“I’m just trying to figure it out,” McCain said. “I still have some soreness, but I want to play, be available, and have fun doing it.” He added that mindfulness practices, including meditation, help him stay focused on effort rather than performance, a significant mindset given the game-to-game pressure of the NBA.
Shooting Slump and Embracing a Bench Role
Despite showing glimpses of offensive rhythm—such as his 10-point performance on 4-of-6 shooting in last Sunday’s loss to the Thunder—McCain’s shooting has been inconsistent. Over a recent six-game stretch, he shot just 28.8% from the field and 21.1% from three-point range. Still, McCain said he won’t alter his mechanics: “I know how to shoot … it’s natural.”
The Sixers are integrating him into a strategic four-guard rotation behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, with Quentin Grimes joining McCain off the bench. His current averages—7.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 19.8 minutes—suggest a developing role rather than a lead scorer.
Philadelphia’s Long-Term View of McCain
The Sixers remain patient with McCain’s progress, valuing his high basketball IQ, hustle, and ability to provide an in-game spark. In a competitive Eastern Conference hunt, his presence off the bench offers much-needed rotational depth. The franchise is not rushing him to return to peak form but sees promise in his return to normal mobility and confidence.
Given his background as a McDonald’s All American and star at Duke, expectations remain high. But the Sixers—and McCain himself—are taking a long-term view, focusing more on foundational growth than immediate box-score impact as the season progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is jared mccain trending?
A: Jared McCain is trending due to his public comments on mental health, recovery, and his return to the Sixers’ rotation after injury setbacks.
Q: What happens next?
A: McCain will continue to fill a key bench role while aiming to regain consistency in his shooting and athleticism as the season enters its midpoint.
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