PHILADELPHIA — Rookie Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers will not return this season following surgery last month to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

The 20-year-old McCain played one season at Duke University before being selected as the team’s first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He started his professional career impressively, averaging 15.3 points across 23 games played. His early performances won him the admiration of fans, particularly as he gained a significant following online, with nearly 5 million followers on TikTok.

McCain was recognized as the Eastern Conference’s Rookie of the Month for November, though he began experiencing knee discomfort after a game against Indiana on December 13.

His tenure with the team has included standout moments, such as scoring a career-high 34 points in a loss to Cleveland in mid-November and surpassing 20 points in eight different games this season, making him a bright spot for the Sixers amid various challenges.

Injuries have plagued key players on the Sixers roster, including Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, who were expected to form the team’s primary trio after George’s recent addition during the offseason. Unfortunately, they have only been on the court together for portions of three games, contributing to the team’s struggling record of 15 wins and 20 losses.

The injury list continues to grow, as Embiid is sidelined with a left foot sprain, alongside Andre Drummond (left toe sprain), Kyle Lowry (right hip strain), and KJ Martin (left foot). For the upcoming game against New Orleans, George is listed as probable due to tightness in his groin.