Sixers soundbites: Jared McCain discusses thumb injury, recovery process and more

CAMDEN, N.J. — For the first time since suffering a torn UCL in his right thumb which will delay his return to the NBA, Sixers guard Jared McCain met with the media after the team's practice on Wednesday to discuss his reaction to the injury, how it occurred, the next steps in his recovery and much more.

Everything McCain had to say about his thumb in the latest edition of Sixers soundbites:

• McCain on how he is feeling and what he is doing at this stage of his recovery:

"The universe is throwing haymakers at me. But it's all part of the process. I've just got to continue to trust. It happens for a reason. It sucks because I feel like I was right there, so close to being back… I've just been doing simple stuff, can't really do too much with the brace on… We'll see where it goes."

• McCain on his next steps:

"I'm being re-evaluated in, like, two weeks now. So I'll get this [brace] off and get a playing brace, and then just start passing, dribbling."

• McCain on how the injury happened:

"It was such a freak, stupid little thing. Somebody was going to the basket, I was tagging him, I put my hand on him and I hurt it… I went to the sideline, I tried to hold a basketball and tried to shoot, and was just like, 'Yeah, I'm cooked.' I went to the training room and I was crying. I just immediately started crying. It was just so frustrating when that happened. Yeah. I knew something was wrong immediately. After a few days, I kind of calmed down and I got out of the depressive state, but I was good and I'm back to my normal self now."

• McCain on whether or not he feels relief that this is not a long-term injury like the torn meniscus that cut his rookie season short after just 23 games:

"For sure, for sure. Yeah. Always looking at the bright side, it's nothing to do with the knee, it's not that big of a recovery process. I was definitely grateful for that. But again, it still sucks. I was driving home and they called me, they got the MRI results… I was right by my house and they told me immediately, I started crying again. I had to pull over and relax for a little. I called my mom, I called my psychologist. And it was tough, but I'll be back."

MORE: Is Jared McCain the next face of the Sixers?

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