When Jared McCain makes his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers later this month, he insists that having his nails painted is essential. The 20-year-old basketball player, a Duke alum, shares with PEOPLE that nail art is a key part of expressing himself.
“It’s a necessity for me to feel and be myself,” McCain states, although he hasn’t decided on a specific color yet; he’s leaning towards the Sixers’ signature red, white, and blue. “Probably just the team colors, but it’s definitely a necessity for me,” he adds.
With over 3.7 million followers on TikTok, McCain has built a strong fanbase by showcasing his vibrant personality and positive outlook through humorous videos and trending dance routines. As he prepares to enter the NBA—a league known for its demanding fanbase—McCain believes his internet fame has equipped him for the spotlight in Philadelphia and any potential backlash regarding his painted nails, similar to the scrutiny faced by NFL rookie Caleb Williams.
“As a professional athlete, there’s so much online to engage with, and I think prioritizing my mental health has been crucial for me for a long time,” McCain explains. “Starting this journey in high school has helped me maintain a positive mindset, stay grateful for everything I have, and that has brought me to where I am today.”
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The Sixers’ new addition recently revealed his partnership with Lyft to promote the company’s new Price Lock feature, announced on October 1. He has also been seeing a sports psychologist to enhance his performance.
“I think it’s great to have someone knowledgeable to bounce ideas off of, and I’ve been doing that since before college,” McCain says about his biweekly therapy sessions.
This NBA season, he plans to stick with his routine of journaling, meditating, practicing yoga, and visualization. “Anything I believe will help maintain a clear mind in the NBA, I’m definitely going to keep doing,” he adds.
McCain attributes his positive outlook to his mother, Jina McCain. “My mom is really optimistic, so I think I inherit that from her,” he says, noting that his parents have moved less than half a mile from his new home in Philadelphia since he was drafted.
“It’s perfect. My mom can cook me some home-cooked meals, and we’ve got my dog Teddy here, so it’s a great atmosphere to have family around,” McCain shares. His older brother, Jayce McCain, is a graduate assistant at Duke.
Although he didn’t have a car in Philadelphia for nearly the first month, McCain found the transition smooth. “While I was moving in, the practice facility is in New Jersey, and I was living in Philly, so it was a bit challenging,” he explains, mentioning that he relied on Lyft to get to practice until he could bring his car to the city.
“L Lyft made it so convenient to just go downstairs from the hotel or wherever I was, and get to practice. It was really easy,” he says.
With the Sixers’ first preseason game—a road matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 11—fast approaching, McCain feels he’s “pretty much settled” in his new Philadelphia home. “I still need to get some nightstands and a desk, but we’ve got a bed and a couch, so that’s all I really need,” he says.
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