Philadelphia 76ers’ Jared McCain reacts after scoring during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
MANILA, Philippines — Add Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain to the list of current NBA players with Filipino roots.
McCain on Thursday acknowledged his Asian heritage and revealed he is partly Filipino.
“Shout out to my Asian community. I am a Filipino. I mean, only like 10 percent, but that counts right?” said McCain in a livestream video with his teammate Adem Bona.
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McCain is the third active NBA player with Filipino roots, joining Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson and Houston Rockets star Jalen Green.
The Duke University product selected by the 76ers as the 16th overall pick in the 2024 Draft has been stepping up in the absence of stars Joel Embiid and Paul George.
McCain is among the few bright spots for Philadelphia amid its awful start to the season where the Sixers have the second-worst record in the league at 3-14 following a 122-115 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets led by Green’s 41 points.
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The 20-year-old McCain, born in Sacramento, California, is one of the favorites to win Rookie of the Year averaging 16.6 points on 40 percent shooting from the 3-point area.
He scored a career-best 34 points in a 114-106 loss to the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this month.
Four days ago, McCain poured in six three-pointers and finished with 30 points to go with five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in the 76ers’ 113-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
McCain represented Team USA in the 2022 Fiba Under-18 Americas Championship, where they won the gold.