Jared McCain: The Thunder’s Social Media Star Who Came Off the Bench to Ignite Game 1

Key facts

• McCain hit a pull-up three-pointer against Deandre Ayton in the second quarter, giving the Thunder a 36-26 lead.
• He was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2025 after GM Daryl Morey said the team was “selling high.”
• McCain has 5.3 million TikTok followers and 226.1 million total likes as of April 2026.
• His first TikTok was posted on February 6, 2020, during his time at Centennial High School in Corona, California.
• He was selected 15th overall by the 76ers in the 2024 NBA Draft.
• At Duke University, McCain averaged 14.3 points per game while maintaining his social media presence.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams animatedly celebrated McCain’s pull-up three from the bench.

A Spark Off the Bench in Game 1

The Oklahoma City Thunder opened their second-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center on Tuesday, and it was a reserve guard who provided the early jolt. Jared McCain, acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers in February, sank a pull-up three-pointer over Deandre Ayton in the second quarter, pushing the Thunder’s lead to double digits at 36-26. The shot drew an animated celebration from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams on the bench, a moment that captured the energy McCain has brought to the defending champions. McCain has carved out a role as an instant-offense weapon off the bench, joining a deep rotation of shocktroopers that includes Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Alex Caruso, and Kenrich Williams. His ability to score in bunches and inject pace has made him a valuable piece for a team that swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round and is now chasing a second consecutive title.

From 76ers Castoff to Thunder Contributor

McCain’s path to Oklahoma City began with a controversial decision by Philadelphia general manager Daryl Morey, who famously said the 76ers were “selling high” when they traded the rookie guard. Despite showing promise in his debut season, McCain was deemed expendable. The Thunder, always on the lookout for young talent, pounced. Now, McCain has a strong chance to win his first NBA championship. The trade has proven mutually beneficial: Philadelphia cleared cap space and acquired assets, while McCain found a system that maximizes his strengths. As of the third quarter of Game 1, the Thunder led the Lakers, with Chet Holmgren posting 20 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, and Gilgeous-Alexander adding 14 points, two rebounds, and four assists. Jalen Williams, however, was sidelined with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week.

A Social Media Empire Built Before the NBA

McCain’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court. The 22-year-old guard boasts 5.3 million TikTok followers and 226.1 million total likes as of April 2026, along with 2.1 million Instagram followers. His digital footprint rivals that of many NBA stars and exceeds the combined follower count of both teams he has played for. His content journey began on February 6, 2020, when he posted his first TikTok—a dance with a teammate at Centennial High School in Corona, California. With no formal dance training, McCain credits Disney’s “High School Musical” as his primary inspiration. The COVID-19 pandemic gave him time to refine his craft, and by May 2021 his videos were routinely generating six-figure views. The breakthrough came at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament in July 2021, when fans began connecting his basketball talent with his viral dances. Teammates nicknamed him the player who could “drop 45 points then go viral on TikTok.”

College Recruitment and the Duke Years

McCain’s TikTok fame dovetailed with his college recruitment. He documented every official visit through dance videos, and when he committed to Duke University in March 2022, the announcement video garnered over 3 million views. At Duke, he averaged 14.3 points per game while maintaining his social media presence. Head coach Jon Scheyer expressed zero concerns about TikTok impacting performance, a stance that reflected the changing norms around athlete branding. McCain’s ability to balance basketball and content creation set him apart. He entered the 2024 NBA Draft as a proven scorer and a social media phenomenon, a combination that intrigued scouts and marketers alike.

The 2024 Draft and the Philadelphia Chapter

The Philadelphia 76ers selected McCain with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. His first post-draft TikTok featured him in a Sixers uniform with the caption “First tiktok in a NBA JERSEYYY,” generating nearly 3 million likes. But his tenure in Philadelphia was brief. Despite flashes of potential, the 76ers opted to trade him, with Morey’s “selling high” comment becoming a defining soundbite. McCain’s social media following continued to grow. By the time he joined the Thunder, he had more followers than both the 76ers and the Thunder combined, a testament to his crossover appeal. His 226 million TikTok likes tell a story of pure entertainment dominance in the social media space.

What Comes Next for McCain and the Thunder

With the Thunder leading the Lakers in Game 1, McCain’s role off the bench will be critical as the series progresses. His ability to provide instant offense and energy could be the difference against a Lakers team that features LeBron James, who started hot with 10 points in the first five minutes. The Thunder’s depth, including McCain, gives them a versatility that opponents must account for. McCain is also redefining what it means to be a two-sport athlete in the modern era—not juggling two sports, but balancing professional basketball with a parallel career as a social media influencer. His 5.3 million TikTok followers and 2.1 million Instagram followers are not just numbers; they represent a new model of athlete engagement.

A New Kind of NBA Star

Jared McCain’s story is emblematic of a generation of athletes who build their brands before they ever step onto a professional court. His journey from a high school dancer in Corona, California, to a key reserve for the defending champions illustrates the converging worlds of sports and digital media. As the Thunder pursue another title, McCain’s pull-up three in Game 1 may be remembered as the moment a social media sensation became a playoff factor. Whether he wins a ring or not, McCain has already achieved something rare: he has more followers than the teams he plays for, and he has done it without formal training, inspired only by a Disney movie. His next chapter, both on and off the court, will be watched by millions.

The bottom line

• Jared McCain provided instant offense off the bench in Game 1 of the Thunder-Lakers series, hitting a pull-up three that gave Oklahoma City a double-digit lead.
• McCain was acquired from the 76ers in February after GM Daryl Morey said the team was 'selling high'; he now has a strong chance to win his first NBA championship.
• He has 5.3 million TikTok followers and 226.1 million total likes, making him a social media phenomenon whose digital influence rivals his NBA presence.
• McCain’s first TikTok was posted on February 6, 2020, and his content helped him gain attention during college recruitment and the 2024 NBA Draft.
• At Duke, he averaged 14.3 points per game while maintaining his social media presence, with Coach Jon Scheyer expressing no concerns about TikTok affecting performance.
• McCain’s ability to balance basketball and content creation represents a new model for athlete branding in the modern era.