76ers rookie phenom Jared McCain out for NBA season with torn meniscus

Jared McCain (YouTube)

According to the Associated Press on Thursday, Philadelphia 76ers rookie guard Jared McCain of Sacramento, California is out for the remainder of the season with a torn meniscus. He has had such a strong season, McCain was even being considered an early candidate for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award after being named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Award winner for November.

McCain tore his meniscus at some point during the 76ers game on December 13 in a 121-107 76ers loss to the Indiana Pacers. It was after the game, in which McCain struggled on the court, that he complained of knee pain. Then on December 17, McCain had knee surgery.

In 23 games this season, McCain was averaging 15.3 points per game, 2.6 assists per game, and 2.4 rebounds per game. He has a field goal percentage of .460, three point percentage of .383, and a free throw percentage of .875. McCain’s 15.3 points per game is 3.6 more points per game than the NBA active leader in points, Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr of Bourdeaux, France, who has 11.7 points per game.

McCain’s finest game of the season came on November 13 in a 114-106 76ers loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. McCain’s best game in a 76ers win came on November 22. McCain had 30 points in a 113-98 76ers romp over the Brooklyn Nets.

Quite simply, the 76ers have not met expectations. More was expected when your team is coached by Nick Nurse, and centred around former MVP Joel Embiid. Philadelphia is 11th in the Eastern Conference at 15 wins and 20 losses. They are one game back of the Chicago Bulls for the final spot in the play-in tournament.