Five-star junior Jared McCain talks his recruitment, list cut timeline

Jared McCain is a winner.

Last season, to cap off a long year, dealing with COVID-19, late start to the season, etc, McCain along with everyone else, had a lot of adversity to overcome. He did just that. The 6-foot-2 guard out of Corona, CA, had one of the more successful two-month spans in basketball during 2021.

He won the CIF championship with Centennial and just two months later, the buzzer in Augusta rung up, making him a Peach Jam champion as well. So, in a matter of two months, he was not only a champion in his high school’s title race, but he also won arguably the most loaded high school basketball tournament there is.

Don’t get it twisted, McCain is a lethal prospect. The word sniper would best describe his ability to shoot the three-ball, and even at Peach Jam last year, McCain always feels as if he could improve his shooting ability. But he’s more than just a shooter, as he impacts the game in so many ways and it’s exactly why he will leap recruiting rankings all year round.

Now, we zoom to 2022. 

McCain remains on the winning track. With the loss of Kylan Boswell, who just pledged his commitment to Arizona, McCain was fully given the keys to make Centennial his team and it meant him having a boosted role this year. He took that and ran, now, McCain is once again a CIF champion who is about to make a run at a state title.

McCain has so much skill but combines it with high basketball IQ. Has great court vision, can get his teammates involved and make them more successful, overall, he does all of the important things you want out of your floor general.

In addition, his recruitment is one to keep an eye on. Some prestigious schools in Duke and UCLA are vying for the Cali PG, also schools like Gonzaga, USC, and Houston. McCain also gave Stockrisers.com some scoop on new blue blood that is now pursuing him.

Read my chat with Top-15 junior Jared McCain.

Which schools are heavily involved?

“UCLA, USC, Texas Tech, Houston, Duke, and Gonzaga.”

Any new schools?

“Kentucky has been in contact recently.”

Duke’s pitch and visit thoughts?

“The visit went great. I loved it out there. The atmosphere of the game was insane and the pitch consisted of having the freedom on offense, and they also believe me and Caleb [Foster] would play well together.”

How about Gonzaga?

“I loved Gonzaga a lot, the vibe there was peaceful. Coach Few and the staff were talking about how player development is huge to them which was great to hear.”

So Kentucky is new, what’s with them early on?

“Nothing too much, just building a relationship as of right now and they want to come out here.”

Which coach is recruiting you?

“Coach [Chin] Coleman.”

Cutting down your list at some point?

“Yeah, I’d say after the season I’ll cut it down.”

How did this season go for you?

“I feel this season is going great, when Kylan [Boswell] left a lot of people counted us out and said we couldn’t do it back-to-back but we did, and now my main goal is to win state now.”

Another ring in your sight, what is going to need to happen on the floor to get to that ring?

”Defense, our defense is our biggest strength so we just gotta stick to our principles.”

And for you, with high school season hitting a close, you start thinking about goals for AAU?

“Yes for sure. It’s really the same as last year. Win Peach Jam and win 17u MVP.”

The last question, is the pro route an option (NBAGL, OTE, etc)? Or you locked in with college.

“Just kind of taking it as it comes. Nobody has reached out except Overtime Elite last year, but right now just focused on college.”