Former Memphis guard Elijah McCadden will play in the 2023 NBA Summer League for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers announced the addition of McCadden on Twitter earlier today, along with the rest of its Summer League team. He is the second 2023 Tiger to join a Summer League roster, the first being Kendric Davis who signed with the Golden State Warriors.
McCadden and the 76ers will participate in the Lake City Summer League (July 3-6) and NBA 2K24 Summer League 2023 (July 7-17). He’ll wear #27 for Philadelphia.
McCadden in College
Memphis fans may ultimately remember McCadden for giving up the game-losing basket to Florida Atlantic’s Nick Boyd in the Round of 64 in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, but he still deserves some recognition for his contributions to the Tigers last season.
In 22 starts, McCadden averaged 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 53.7% from the field. The 6-foot-5 senior also played in all 35 games for the Tigers in 2023.
In his one season at Memphis, McCadden provided a level of toughness and grit the team needed. He was also a good defensive presence and locker room leader. The Tigers were better with him in 2023 than they were without him in 2022. And they proved that by becoming the first Memphis team since 2013 to win a conference tournament championship.
Other than Davis or DeAndre Williams, one can argue that McCadden was the Tigers’ most valuable player this past season.
Prior to his time at Memphis, McCadden carved out a nice four-year tenure at Georgia Southern. He averaged 9.3 points per game during that stretch.
The Rocky Mount, N.C. native put up 11.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 2022, his final year with the program. Additionally, he was named the Sun Belt’s 6th-Man of the Year for his efforts that season.
NBA Outlook
McCadden certainly has NBA-caliber athleticism.
Even his biggest critics aren’t doubting that. The question with him, however, is his ability to adjust to the skill and fundamentals of NBA players.
His deficiencies as a player were heavily exposed at certain points in 2023, especially in the tournament. But he also showed flashes of his high potential at other points last season.
For example, McCadden was the best player on the floor in Memphis’ first matchup against Houston without Davis. In that game, he scored 20 points and recorded 6 rebounds. The Tigers lost 72-64, but it would’ve been much worse without McCadden’s efforts.
If he can start playing to his strengths more while shoring up his weaknesses, McCadden can possibly secure a G-League roster spot this season. And with NBA-level coaching, that might be easier for him to do than some think.
The odds are definitely against McCadden. There’s no denying that.
But sometimes, all somebody needs is a chance.
And as unlikely as it seemed to most, McCadden has gotten his.
