Collin Sexton

Born on January 4, 1999, Collin Darnell Sexton—a 23-year-old American professional basketball player—embarked on his journey in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Utah Jazz. His journey to pro-basketball wasn’t a cakewalk by any means. The nickname “Young Bull” testifies to the intensity with which he played the game from an early age — a testament to the player he’d become.

Sporting the crimson colors for the Alabama Crimson Tide in college proved to be a transformative experience for Sexton. His efforts were rewarded when he was selected as a McDonald’s All-American in January 2017, a moment of validation for the young player. The years at Alabama set up the springboard for Sexton to take the leap into the NBA, with the Cleveland Cavaliers choosing him as the 8th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. After four seasons with the Cavaliers, Sexton was traded to the Jazz via a sign-and-trade deal in the 2022 offseason.

Sexton’s basketball journey got off to an early start. By the age of three, thanks to the support of his parents Darnell and Gia, he was flipping balls into hoops. His older siblings, Jordan and Giuana, were his constant companions and competitors growing up in their hometown of Marietta, Georgia.

Sexton’s high school journey took him from Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia to Pebblebrook High School in Mableton. It was in Pebblebrook where Sexton shone the brightest, navigating the Falcons to a 2016 Georgia Region 3-6A title and the 2016 Georgia Class 6A state championship game. He truly emerged as a basketball titan, averaging an impressive 23 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists during the championship.

Considered among the best in the 2017 recruiting class, Sexton earned a five-star recruit status from scouts. His exceptional skills and tireless commitment saw him ranked as the No.7 overall recruit and the No.2 point guard in the 2017 high school class. These accolades preceded his commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide on November 10, 2016, marking the beginning of his college basketball journey.

At the University of Alabama, Sexton attracted attention under the leadership of Coach Avery Johnson. His 40 point game against the University of Minnesota, where he played 3-on-5 for most of the second half, remains one of his most unforgettable performances. Throughout the SEC tournament, Sexton averaged 26.3 points, three assists, and five rebounds over three games, earning him a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Despite a promising college career, Sexton was caught amidst eligibility issues related to the FBI’s investigation into college basketball corruption. However, he weathered the controversy and made his Alabama debut with a win against Lipscomb University. His decision in the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball tournament to forgo his final three seasons of college to enter the 2018 NBA draft, showed his readiness for a step-up in competition.

Joining the Cavaliers as the 8th pick set the stage for Sexton’s introduction to the big league. His NBA debut in 2018 saw the rookie provide a solid performance in a loss against the Toronto Raptors. Determined to make an impact, Sexton scored a then season-high 29 points in games against the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards. Soon, he eclipsed 1,000 career points and even overtook Kyrie Irving for 3 pointers made as a Cavs rookie. Sexton’s continued hard work led him to become the first rookie in franchise history to score at least 23 points successively and the first since Tim Duncan in 1998 to score 23+ points in seven consecutive games.

Sexton’s 2019-20 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers saw him break numerous records. He was the third player before turning 22 to average at least 20 points per game for the Cavaliers, joining the ranks of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Sexton further increased his scoring capability in the 2020-21 season, with an average of 24.3 points per game, and also set a career-high with 4.4 assists per game.

The journey to the Utah Jazz hit a bump in the road when Sexton suffered a torn left meniscus in the 2021-22 season. Following surgery, Sexton refused to back down, accepting the Cavaliers’ qualifying offer, marking him a restricted free agent. Then, on September 3, 2022, Sexton was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Donovan Mitchell, beginning a new phase in his career.

Sexton’s journey isn’t confined to the domestic stage; on an international level, he made his mark with the USA Men’s U17 World Championship Team in 2016, walking away with a gold medal and the title of MVP. His consistent performances, resilience, and dedication spotlight him as one of the current leaders in the sport. From the basketball courts of Marietta, Georgia, to the dazzling lights of the Utah Jazz, Collin Sexton’s basketball story is one of determination, talent, and an unquenchable love for the game.