CJ McCollum Bio
Christian James McCollum is an American professional basketball player who currently competes for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on September 19, 1991, in Canton, Ohio, McCollum has established himself as one of the most reliable scoring guards in professional basketball over a career spanning more than a decade. He played college basketball for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, where he became the first player in Patriot League history to earn both conference Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. McCollum was selected tenth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2013 NBA draft and went on to earn NBA Most Improved Player honors in 2016. Beyond his playing career, McCollum has contributed to the basketball community as president of the National Basketball Players Association from 2021 to 2025 and as a media personality with his podcast and ESPN analyst work.
Early Life and Background
McCollum grew up in Canton, Ohio, where he attended GlenOak High School, competing for the Golden Eagles. As a freshman in 2005, he stood at only 5 feet 2 inches tall, considerably undersized for his competition. Despite his stature, McCollum earned a spot on the varsity team and relied on his athleticism to contribute. He experienced a significant growth spurt during high school, gaining five inches during his sophomore year and another four inches as a junior, transforming his physical profile and attracting attention from college scouts.
His exceptional performance continued throughout his senior season, when he averaged 29.3 points per game. McCollum capped his high school career as GlenOak’s all-time leading scorer with 1,405 points and earned Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year honors for the 2008-09 season. He also set school and Stark County records by scoring 54 points in his first game as a junior.
Path to Professional Basketball
McCollum chose to attend Lehigh University, a private research institution, where he made an immediate impact during his freshman season of 2009-10. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 165 pounds, he appeared in 33 games, starting 31, and averaged 19.1 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. His scoring output led all freshmen nationally and made him the first player in Patriot League history to be named both conference Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season. He also earned Associated Press honorable mention All-American recognition. In his first NCAA tournament appearance, McCollum scored 26 points in a first-round loss to top-seeded Kansas.
Over his four collegiate seasons, McCollum steadily improved his production and physical profile. He added 30 pounds of muscle to develop his frame and became a dominant force in the Patriot League. During his junior year in 2011-12, he recorded a career-defining performance by scoring a game-high 30 points in Lehigh’s historic 75-70 upset victory over Duke in the NCAA tournament, marking only the sixth time a 15th-seeded team defeated a second-seeded team in tournament history. He also became the Patriot League’s all-time leading scorer during his senior year before a foot injury ended his college career prematurely. McCollum graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
CJ McCollum Career
Portland Trail Blazers (2013-2022)
McCollum entered the NBA as the first player ever drafted from Lehigh University, selected tenth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2013 NBA draft. He signed his rookie contract in July 2013 and showcased his abilities in the NBA Summer League, averaging 21 points and 4 rebounds per game. A foot injury caused him to miss the first six weeks of his rookie season. He was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League in January 2014 before being recalled. McCollum made his NBA debut on January 11, 2014, recording 4 points in a 110-94 victory over the Orlando Magic. During his sophomore season, he played 62 games while averaging 6.8 points per game.
McCollum experienced a breakout season in 2015-16 after the Trail Blazers lost four of their five starters from the previous roster. With increased opportunity alongside Damian Lillard in the backcourt, he started all 80 games he played and averaged 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He opened the season with a 37-point performance against New Orleans and filled in as the primary point guard during Lillard’s injury absence. McCollum earned NBA Most Improved Player honors for his efforts, becoming the first guard in Blazers history to win the award and helping form the first backcourt in franchise history to average 20 or more points per game each. Portland advanced to the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Golden State Warriors.
New Orleans Pelicans (2022-2025)
On February 8, 2022, the Trail Blazers traded McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and multiple draft assets. He made his Pelicans debut two days later, recording 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in a loss to Miami. He quickly established himself as a key contributor for the Pelicans, scoring 32 points in the play-in tournament to help New Orleans secure the eighth seed. In September 2022, McCollum agreed to a two-year, $64 million extension with the Pelicans.
During the 2022-23 season, McCollum posted a 40-point, 8-rebound, 9-assist performance against San Antonio and followed it with a 42-point game against Philadelphia, setting a Pelicans franchise record with 11 three-pointers made in a single game. He continued his scoring production through the 2024-25 season, averaging 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 56 starts. He tied his career high of 50 points in a victory over Washington in January 2025 before being ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a bone bruise in his right foot in March.
Washington Wizards (2025-Present)
McCollum was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2025, joining the franchise as a veteran presence in their backcourt. He made an immediate impact, scoring a season-high 46 points on November 25, 2025, during a victory over the Atlanta Hawks. He shot 17 of 25 from the field and connected on 10 of 13 three-point attempts, tying the Wizards franchise record for most three-pointers in a game. His scoring prowess and experience have provided valuable leadership for a young Wizards roster as the team builds for the future.
Playing Style and Strengths
McCollum has built his NBA career as an elite scorer with exceptional shooting ability from both mid-range and beyond the arc. His ability to create his own shot off the dribble makes him a constant threat in isolation situations, while his basketball IQ allows him to play effectively alongside other ball-handlers. He has developed into a reliable three-point shooter, ranking among the franchise leaders in made three-pointers for both Portland and New Orleans. His scoring versatility enables him to play both guard positions, and he has shown the ability to facilitate when needed, recording multiple triple-doubles throughout his career.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, McCollum has reached numerous scoring milestones and set franchise records. He became only the eighth player in Trail Blazers history to score 40 or more points in a playoff game and joined an elite group of Portland players to score 50 or more points in a regular-season game. His 28-point first quarter against Chicago in 2018 set a Trail Blazers franchise record, and his 11 three-pointers in a game with the Pelicans established a new team record. During the 2019 playoffs, he recorded 41 points in a quadruple-overtime victory over Denver and followed with a game-high 37 points in the decisive Game 7 to help the Trail Blazers advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
CJ McCollum Career Highlights
McCollum has accumulated an impressive collection of achievements across both his college and professional career. His college career at Lehigh saw him become the Patriot League’s all-time leading scorer while earning multiple conference honors. In the NBA, he has established himself as a consistent 20-plus point per game scorer across three franchises while earning recognition as one of the league’s most improved players.
College Honors
During his four seasons at Lehigh University, McCollum earned numerous accolades that established him as one of the most accomplished players in conference history. He was named Patriot League Player of the Year twice (2010 and 2012) and Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2010, becoming the first player in conference history to win both awards in the same season. He earned First-team All-Patriot League honors three consecutive years and was named Patriot League Tournament MVP in 2012. McCollum also received Associated Press honorable mention All-American recognition twice. The university retired his number 3 jersey in recognition of his achievements.
NBA Achievements
McCollum was named NBA Most Improved Player in 2016 after his breakthrough season with the Trail Blazers. He has appeared in multiple playoff series throughout his career, including a memorable run to the Western Conference Finals with Portland in 2019. His career averages include over 19 points per game across his NBA tenure, with single-season averages exceeding 23 points. He has demonstrated consistency by never missing the playoffs until 2023 and by scoring 40 or more points in multiple games across different franchises.
Leadership and Community Service
Beyond his on-court accomplishments, McCollum has demonstrated leadership through his service as president of the National Basketball Players Association from 2021 to 2025. He has also made significant contributions to his communities through philanthropy. In 2016, he opened the CJ McCollum Dream Center at the Portland Boys and Girls Club, providing underserved youth with access to computers, books, art supplies, and learning tools. He created CJ’s Press Pass, an initiative that provides aspiring journalists with mentorship opportunities and access to postgame news conferences.
CJ McCollum Family
Family Background
McCollum comes from a basketball family, as his older brother Errick McCollum has built a professional career overseas, including winning championships in the EuroLeague. Their family background in basketball likely contributed to McCollum’s development and passion for the game from an early age.
Personal Life
McCollum married his college sweetheart, Elise Esposito, on October 27, 2020. The couple has one son, Jacobi, who was born on January 10, 2022. McCollum maintains a strong presence in the media through his weekly podcast, Pull Up with CJ McCollum, produced by Cadence13 and co-hosted by ESPN analyst Jordan Schultz. The podcast has featured high-profile guests including Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. In May 2022, McCollum signed a multiplatform deal with ESPN to serve as an NBA analyst, expanding his contributions to basketball coverage beyond his playing career.
Off the court, McCollum has developed a passion for winemaking. He launched his own wine label, originally named McCollum Heritage 91 in reference to his childhood street and birth year, and rebranded it as McCollum Family Vineyard in 2026. His interest in journalism, stemming from his journalism degree at Lehigh, is reflected in his writing contributions to various media outlets and his interview with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NBA season saw McCollum continue his consistent scoring production for the New Orleans Pelicans before a mid-season trade shifted his trajectory. He appeared in 56 games with the Pelicans, averaging 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. His performance included a 50-point outburst against Washington in January 2025, demonstrating his continued ability to takeover games offensively. However, a bone bruise in his right foot sidelined him for the remainder of the season in late March, ending his campaign prematurely. The injury prevented him from participating in the postseason as the Pelicans competed in the play-in tournament.
Following the season, McCollum was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a major roster reshuffle. He reported to his new team motivated to contribute and quickly displayed his scoring ability by dropping 46 points against his former team, the Atlanta Hawks. His shooting performance, connecting on 10 of 13 three-point attempts, demonstrated his elite shooting ability and provided Wizards fans with exciting moments as the franchise continued its rebuilding process.