CJ McCollum

Christian James McCollum, born in September 1991, is an acclaimed professional American basketball player currently signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). McCollum obtained the NBA Most Improved Player title for the 2015-2016 season during his prosperous third year in the league.

Before making his mark in the NBA, McCollum displayed brilliant basketball skills at the college level, playing for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. His prowess saw him named the Patriot League Player of the Year in 2010 and 2012. From there, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA 2013 draft, becoming the tenth overall pick.

After spending two years as a back-up player, McCollum was promoted to a full-time starting role for the Trail Blazers in his third season. The Trail Blazers lost the talents of LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, and Robin Lopez to free agency at the end of the 2014-15 season, allowing McCollum to move into the shooting guard position. This move made significant contributions to his NBA career growth.

McCollum’s success was further recognized on August 7, 2021, when he was elected the president of the National Basketball Player Association, succeeding Chris Paul. However, in 2022, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, bringing to an end his nine-year journey with the Blazers.

Looking back to McCollum’s high school days, he was a force to reckon with at GlenOak High School in his native city of Canton, Ohio. McCollum defied odds and proved his innate skills in the game from as early as his freshman year, when he was notably undersized for a player. Despite his stature, he played varsity for the Golden Eagles on account of his outstanding athleticism. McCollum, however, enjoyed a phenomenal late growth spurt which bolstered him in the college recruitment radar, earning him a spot with the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. His scoring power saw him set an astonishing record of 29.3 points per game in his final high school year, thus becoming the leading scorer in Golden Eagles history with 1,405 career points.

During his collegiate years at the private research school, Lehigh University, McCollum’s on-court performances instantly captured attention as he led the Mountain Hawks to the 2010 NCAA tournament. His major transformations physically and professionally on the court further aided his breakthrough to NBA ranks. His professional skills were recognized with various awards and titles at the college level.

McCollum’s journey to the NBA from Lehigh was historic as he was the first to travel that path, being the tenth overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the Trail Blazers. After sealing the deal on his rookie scale contract, NBA.com surveyors elected McCollum and Victor Oladipo as joint winners of the 2013-14 Rookie of the Year award. His career took a brief downturn due to a foot injury, but McCollum bounced back stronger, posting impressive scores and helping his team bag wins during his second season. The Trail Blazers further demonstrated their faith in him by exercising their fourth-year team option, extending his rookie-scale contract through the 2016-17 season.

McCollum’s shining moment came in the 2015-16 season after he was promoted to starting shooting guard. His scoring power became instrumental, helping the team to its victories and earning him the NBA Most Improved Player title. Despite the Portland team failing to clinch the championship title, McCollum’s record-breaking scores in the playoffs stood out.

His four-year contract extension with the Trail Blazers in 2016 saw McCollum continue to exhibit his skill set, registering impressive scores in both regular and postseason games. However, it was in the 2017-2018 season that McCollum’s prowess truly flourished. Despite a shaky start due to a suspension, he showcased his abilities, recording career-high scores and throwing the team to thrilling victories.

Throughout his career, McCollum has earned recognition as a highly skilled basketball player. With his unique talent, unwavering dedication, and continuous push for improvement, McCollum has set a high standard that upcoming players can aim to emulate. His move to the New Orleans Pelicans looks set to be another exciting chapter in his flourishing career. McCollum’s record and career trajectory clearly testify to his distinctive status in the realm of professional basketball, affirming his place among the sport’s greatest luminaries.