Prospect Spotlight: Jared McCain (2023)
The thought of losing three starters to transfer before the season, all of whom are committed to Division I schools, would send most public school programs into a rebuilding year. For Corona Centennial all it did was create an opportunity…
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Continue ReadingThe thought of losing three starters to transfer before the season, all of whom are committed to Division I schools, would send most public school programs into a rebuilding year.
For Corona Centennial all it did was create an opportunity for its talented group of young players to step into major roles a year or two before they were expected to and freshman guard Jared McCain has made the most of it. McCain seamlessly assumed the starting shooting guard role alongside senior point guard Paris Dawson and wasted no time showing that he’s one of the top underclass prospects in the state.
“When I got here I wasn’t expecting the three seniors to leave, so I wasn’t expecting much,” McCain said about his approach in the fall with the Huskies. “Once they all left, coach (Josh) Giles talked to me and said my role could change and I’ve just been keeping that momentum going.”
That momentum has led to McCain posting impressive shooting numbers on the season. The 6-foot-1 freshman is averaging 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in the first 31 games of his high school career and is connecting on 3-point shots at a 40 percent clip and is hitting his free throws at an 80 percent rate. McCain’s most dynamic skill right now is his perimeter shooting as he’s connected on 81 triples this season.
McCain said that the Centennial coaching staff has shown a lot of confidence in him and that helped him get comfortable in his role quickly.
“One of coach’s big things is he let’s me shoot,” he said. “He wont get mad at you for a missed shot, you just have to keep playing.”
Another factor in McCain’s immense confidence and poise as a player is the battles he had growing up with his brother, current Cal State San Marcos guard Jayce McCain.
“We’ve had plenty of battles,” Jared said. “We kind of had to stop because it always ends up in a fight, but he’s played a big role in my process. He gives me pep talks and keeps me on track.”
Though McCain still has a handful of games left in his freshman year, and three more high school seasons thereafter, he’s already setting goals for himself and his development to set himself up for long-term success on the court.
“I’m working hard every day on my ball handling, driving and finishing and just my all-around game,” he said.
McCain’s shooting ability, combined with his upside and basketball IQ are just a few reasons why he’s a combo guard prospect for Division 1 programs to get involved with early.