CJ McCollum Bio
Christian James McCollum, known professionally as CJ McCollum, is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A skilled shooting guard with a reputation for smooth scoring and sharp shooting, McCollum has built a reputation as one of the most reliable perimeter scorers of his generation. He first gained national attention during his college career at Lehigh University, where he became the Patriot League’s all-time leading scorer. Selected tenth overall in the 2013 NBA draft, McCollum has spent more than a decade in the NBA, earning the league’s Most Improved Player award and serving as president of the National Basketball Players Association from 2021 to 2025.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds, McCollum combines polished footwork with deep shooting range, making him a constant threat from beyond the arc. Beyond his on-court work, he is known for his journalism, philanthropy, and wine enthusiasm, including his own label, McCollum Heritage 91.
Early Life and Background
Christian James McCollum was born on September 19, 1991, in Canton, Ohio. He grew up in the same city and attended GlenOak High School, where he played for the Golden Eagles. McCollum was considerably undersized as a freshman, standing only 5 feet 2 inches tall, yet he still made the varsity roster thanks to his athleticism and court awareness. A late growth spurt added nine inches over his next two years, transforming him into a Division I prospect.
As a junior, McCollum opened his season with a 54-point outburst that set both school and Stark County records. By the time he graduated, he had become GlenOak’s all-time leading scorer with 1,405 career points, and he was named Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year for the 2008–09 campaign. His brother, Errick McCollum, is also a professional basketball player and a EuroLeague winner.
Path to Basketball
McCollum committed to Lehigh University, a private research school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he joined the Mountain Hawks basketball program. As a freshman in 2009–10, he averaged 19.1 points and 5 rebounds per game, becoming the leading freshman scorer in the nation and the first player in Patriot League history to be named both conference Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Across his four college seasons, McCollum developed into one of the most decorated players in Patriot League history, earning First Team All-Conference honors three times and the league’s Player of the Year award twice. He also led Lehigh to a landmark upset of second-seeded Duke in the 2012 NCAA tournament, scoring 30 points in a 75–70 win that was only the sixth time a 15-seed had beaten a 2-seed. He finished his career as the Patriot League’s all-time leading scorer and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
CJ McCollum Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
McCollum was selected tenth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2013 NBA draft, becoming the first player ever drafted directly from Lehigh. After signing his rookie contract, he missed the first six weeks of the season with a foot injury and spent a brief stint with the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League before making his NBA debut on January 8, 2014, against the Orlando Magic.
His sophomore season was limited to a bench role, but he showed flashes during the playoffs, scoring a then career-high 33 points in Game 5 of a first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Portland Trail Blazers Breakthrough (2015–2022)
With Portland’s core reshuffled around Damian Lillard, McCollum was promoted to starting shooting guard for the 2015–16 season. He responded with a breakout campaign, averaging 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 80 games, and he earned the NBA Most Improved Player award for his performance.
McCollum built on that success with a four-year contract extension in 2016 and quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier mid-range shooters. He set a career-high of 50 points against the Chicago Bulls in January 2018, a single quarter of 28 points that matched a franchise record. He recorded his first career triple-double against the Atlanta Hawks in January 2019. In the 2019 playoffs, he delivered one of the defining moments of his career, scoring 37 points in Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets to send Portland to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2022–2025)
On February 8, 2022, McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in a multi-player deal. Two days later he made his Pelicans debut, recording 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists against the Miami Heat. He quickly became a central figure for New Orleans, helping the team reach the 2022 playoffs via the play-in tournament with 32 points against the San Antonio Spurs.
In December 2022, McCollum signed a two-year, $64 million extension with the Pelicans. He produced several memorable performances during his tenure, including a franchise-record 11 three-pointers against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 30, 2022, and a career-tying 50 points against the Washington Wizards on January 3, 2025. A bone bruise in his right foot ended his 2024–25 season in late March.
Washington Wizards Era (2025–Present)
McCollum was traded to the Washington Wizards in a deal completed on July 6, 2025, alongside Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick in exchange for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and other considerations. The move brought his veteran scoring and leadership to a young Wizards roster looking to build around experienced voices.
He wasted no time making an impression in Washington, scoring 46 points on 17-for-25 shooting with 10 three-pointers in a victory over the Atlanta Hawks on November 25, 2025. His 10 made threes tied the franchise record set by Trevor Ariza in 2014, signaling that his perimeter game remained elite entering the new chapter of his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
McCollum is widely regarded as one of the most technically sound mid-range shooters in the modern NBA, with a polished floater, step-back jumper, and a quick release that allows him to score in tight spaces. He is equally dangerous from beyond the arc, where his range and shooting percentages have consistently ranked among the league’s best at his position. Defensively, he relies on positioning and basketball IQ rather than pure athleticism, and his experience as a primary playmaker has made him a reliable secondary ball-handler alongside bigger guards.
Notable Events and Milestones
McCollum’s career is highlighted by the 2019 Game 7 against Denver, his 50-point performances against Chicago and Washington, and his Pelicans franchise record for made three-pointers in a single game. Off the court, he was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association in August 2021, a position he held until 2025, and he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2016.
CJ McCollum Career Wins
Across his NBA career, McCollum has produced multiple signature wins and scoring milestones in the regular season and playoffs. While comprehensive team win totals are not verified here, his individual achievements include All-Star Weekend Three-Point Contest appearances, multiple 40-point games, and the Most Improved Player honor.
Portland Trail Blazers Highlights
During his nine seasons in Portland, McCollum helped the Trail Blazers reach the playoffs every year and advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2019. He set numerous franchise benchmarks, including a single-quarter scoring record and a career-high 50 points, while forming one of the league’s most respected backcourts alongside Damian Lillard.
Other Wins and Performances
McCollum was a three-time First Team All-Patriot League selection and a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year during his college career at Lehigh. He also led Lehigh to its first NCAA Division I tournament victory, an upset of Duke in 2012, cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished players in program history.
CJ McCollum Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McCollum’s older brother, Errick McCollum, is a professional basketball player who has played internationally and won a EuroLeague championship. The McCollum brothers share a competitive basketball background that traces back to their childhood in Canton, Ohio.
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. Outside of basketball, McCollum is a well-known wine enthusiast who launched his own label, McCollum Heritage 91, named after the street he grew up on and his birth year. He is also an active journalist and podcaster, hosting Pull Up with CJ McCollum and contributing analytical pieces to major sports outlets.
2025 Season Performance
McCollum began the 2025 calendar year still with the New Orleans Pelicans, posting a career-tying 50 points against the Washington Wizards on January 3 before a bone bruise in his right foot ended his campaign in late March. He averaged 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 56 starts during the 2024–25 season, serving as a steady veteran presence for a Pelicans team navigating injuries and roster turnover.
Following the trade to Washington, McCollum quickly became a featured scorer for the Wizards. His 46-point performance against Atlanta on November 25, 2025, highlighted his continued effectiveness as an elite shooter and scorer, and it reinforced his value as a trade pickup for a franchise focused on developing young talent around reliable veterans.
Looking ahead, McCollum’s role in Washington is expected to blend scoring and mentorship as the Wizards continue their rebuilding process. With his contract running through the present and his perimeter game still producing at a high level, McCollum remains a meaningful contributor whose shooting and leadership will shape the Wizards’ competitive identity in the seasons to come.