Jared McCain wanted Victor Wembanyama’s jersey after the Western Conference Finals. But then the Spurs rookie allegedly called for a hard foul on him in the final moments of Game 5. So the Thunder guard changed his mind.
McCain dropped the story himself in the latest episode of his YouTube vlog, and it’s exactly the kind of petty, honest energy fans love about him.
“I was gonna ask for Wemby’s jersey, but since he had a hit out on me, I can’t,” McCain said, smiling through it but clearly not joking.
The moment in question came late in Oklahoma City’s 127-114 win that closed out the series. Spurs veteran Bismack Biyombo fouled McCain hard, and video surfaced after the game showing Wembanyama talking to teammates on the bench right before checking out — apparently calling for that exact kind of play. The Defensive Player of the Year essentially put a target on McCain’s back, and McCain didn’t miss it.
But here’s the thing about McCain. He’s not holding a grudge. He’s just setting a boundary. And honestly, that kind of self-respect plays well in a league where rivalries can get personal fast.
McCain’s New Home in Oklahoma City
This whole reveal comes during a season where McCain has been open about how much he loves being a Thunder. He was traded mid-season from the 76ers, and the fit has been seamless. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 10.4 points on 46.2 percent shooting, 38.5 percent from deep, and 2.1 rebounds for OKC. More importantly, he found a city that embraced him immediately.
“Everywhere I’ve gone, they’re always trying to help and always trying, always, no matter what,” McCain said in a separate interview. He described Thunder fans as people who pay it forward, and that energy changed his perspective on a city most California kids wouldn’t immediately move to.
“So whether it’s being able to just pay for somebody’s coffee, help somebody out, give someone a picture, like whatever it is, I try and do that,” McCain said. “I think that love just kind of all comes back around to you and that energy comes back and that allows me to fall in love with a city.”
That’s not the kind of thing you hear every day from a second-year player who joined a contender mid-season. Usually it’s about locker room fit or playing time. McCain is talking about coffee and community. It’s refreshing.
What This Says About the Thunder-Spurs Dynamic
The Wembanyama thing is a subplot, but an interesting one. These two teams could be rivals for years. Wembanyama is already a superstar. McCain is a reliable shooter and a genuine personality. If they meet in the playoffs again, don’t be surprised if McCain remembers that hard foul — and doesn’t ask for a jersey swap after the game either.
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