Video: Duke basketball’s Jared McCain lights up NCAA Tournament
Freshman Jared McCain dropped 30 points and Duke record 8 3-pointers for an NCAA Tournament game in Sunday’s rout of James Madison in the Round of 32.
Duke and North Carolina are expected to have players selected during the 2024 NBA Draft, which begins Wednesday in Brooklyn.
Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski are projected to join a lengthy list of Blue Devils as first-round selections and Harrison Ingram could be the first Tar Heel to land in the first round since 2021.
Overall, Duke (55) and UNC (54) have combined for 109 first-round picks. The first round begins at 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN) Wednesday and the two-day event concludes with the second round on Thursday at 4 p.m. (ESPN).
Here’s a look at where McCain, Filipowski and Ingram are projected to be selected ahead of the NBA Draft, according to the latest mock drafts.
Mock draft high: No. 11 overall (Round 1) to Chicago Bulls
Mock draft low: No. 18 overall (Round 1) to Orlando Magic
The buzz: Mock drafts seem to be in consensus that Jared McCain could go between No. 10 and No. 20 overall. Considered one of the top 3-point shooters in the draft, McCain has a skill that translates well to the league. He’ll provide an instant need for the team that selects him.
Best fits: There are a trio of teams in order that seem like the best landing spots for McCain. There’s the Miami Heat at No. 15, the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 16 and the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 17. Former Duke star JJ Redick is entering his first season as head coach of the Lakers, so why not make a splash with a fellow Blue Devil to spread the floor for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Mock draft high: No. 15 overall (Round 1) to Miami Heat
Mock draft low: No. 30 overall (Round 1) to Boston Celtics
The buzz: Filipowski’s stock has been down of late. Initially thought to be a lottery pick, it seems most mock drafts think Filipowski will be selected in the latter portion of the first round. The 7-footer could end up finding himself in position to join a playoff contender.
Best fits: The New York Knicks (No. 24), the Denver Nuggets (No. 28) and the Boston Celtics (No. 30) would provide good situations for Filipowski, who wouldn’t be asked to be an immediate force for those playoff teams. But with his ability to rebound and stretch defenses as a threat from the perimeter, Filipowski could be quite the asset down the road.
Mock draft high: No. 25 overall (Round 1) to New York Knicks
Mock draft low: No. 47 overall (Round 2) to Orlando Magic
The buzz: Ingram could sneak into the first round, but most mock drafts have the versatile forward being selected early in the second. Ingram’s wingspan, along with his ability to connect teammates as a defender and passer, could make him an intriguing sleeper pick for a contender.
Best fits: Looking at the teams that have picks early in the second round, San Antonio (No. 35), Indiana (No. 36) and Minnesota (No. 37) appear to be solid bets to land Ingram. As a possible 3-and-D player in the league, Ingram could carve out a role with any of those three teams.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
