"We have more downtime than people expect" - Jared McCain explains his NBA life as a YouTuber
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By now, it is clear that Jared McCain is no stranger to controversy.
Specifically, the 22-year-old OKC Thunder guard has faced significant scrutiny early in his career due to various "questionable" TikTok videos that many call "feminine" and his display of painted nails. Not to mention, McCain partnered with dating app Hinge to promote male friendships to combat Gen Z loneliness by building strong relationships.
Alongside his unconventional character as an athlete, Jared also has a YouTube channel where he shows his daily life as an NBA player, showcasing his eccentric personality unfiltered.
Although it isn't unusual for NBA players to have a YouTube channel nowadays, McCain explained that it has always been his dream to become a YouTuber.
Like most of Gen Z, McCain grew up watching YouTube and numerous of its most famous creators who filmed daily vlogs, displaying their lives for everyone to see how a YouTuber manages his day-to-day, which ultimately led Jared to wish he would one day become one as well.
"I've always wanted to be a YouTuber since I was a kid," said McCain. "I used to watch all the YouTubers when I was younger. So, when I finally felt confident enough to put the camera out and show my life, I was like, I wanna to make it as authentic as possible. People try and make it almost too perfect."
McCain officially launched his channel on September 13, 2021, while still in high school. He began filming videos that reveal how a five-star high school recruit conducts his college visits, his game-day routine, and other "day in the life" content.
Although he stopped filming for some time during his collegiate days at Duke, McCain picked up right where he left off when he was drafted 16th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The reason is that, alongside his desire to film videos, Jared realized that playing in the NBA leaves you with significant time on your hands outside of practice and games, which is where being a YouTuber fits perfectly.
"We're gonna say jokes, we're gonna say dumb stuff, but also show the random playful side of just being in the NBA. We have more downtime than people expect, and you gotta fill that up with something to do, and some hobbies."
Now, McCain took his vlogs to the next level as a known athlete. He gained a major audience who tune in to see how an NBA player lives his daily life, as Jared never shies away from revealing his authentic character through a laid-back, humorous personality.
Related: "Karma is a bi—h" – Three fanbases call out the hypocrisy of Thunder fans after Jalen Williams' injury
With McCain, numerous NBA players are now part-time YouTubers, not to mention podcasts. They film daily vlogs about what goes on in their lives both on and off the court, from practice and games to business deals, and how they spend their off-seasons.
Major NBA superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown, and others like Michael Porter Jr. and Trae Young are just some of the league's most famous names who have transitioned to YouTube to share what life as an athlete is like.
Related: "Never saw anything wrong with it. I understand girls do it" — Jared McCain explains why criticism over painting his nails and TikTok doesn't bother him
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Oct 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.