Collin Sexton Bio
Collin Darnell Sexton is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide before entering the NBA in 2018. Nicknamed the “Young Bull,” Sexton has built a reputation as a scoring guard with quick acceleration and a competitive edge.
Born and raised in Georgia, Sexton developed into a five-star high school recruit and one of the top guards in his class. He spent his first four NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, was traded to the Utah Jazz in 2022, and was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets in 2025. Across every stop, he has been recognized for his scoring punch and perimeter shooting.
Early Life and Background
Collin Darnell Sexton was born on January 4, 1999, in Marietta, Georgia. He is the son of Darnell and Gia Sexton, and he grew up alongside an older brother, Jordan, and an older sister, Giuana. He began playing basketball at the age of three, developing his game at home and in local programs around the Atlanta area.
Sexton first attended Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, before transferring to Pebblebrook High School in Mableton prior to his junior year. At Pebblebrook, he helped the Falcons capture a 2016 Georgia Region 3-6A title and reach the 2016 Georgia Class 6A state championship game while averaging 23 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
Recruiting outlets Scout.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN rated him as a five-star recruit and one of the best players in the 2017 class. Sexton was ranked the No. 7 overall recruit and No. 2 point guard in the 2017 high school class. On November 10, 2016, he committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide and signed his letter of intent on the same day.
Path to Basketball
Sexton’s reputation grew rapidly after his standout Pebblebrook seasons. His selection as a 2017 McDonald’s All-American confirmed his status among the elite guards in his class. The honor opened doors to elite showcase events and helped cement his top-ten national ranking.
At the international level, Sexton won a gold medal with the 2016 USA Men’s U17 World Championship Team in Zaragoza, Spain. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, adding a global trophy to his résumé before his senior year of high school.
He arrived at the University of Alabama and played for head coach Avery Johnson. On November 25, 2017, he scored 40 points in a loss to Minnesota, with most of the second half played shorthanded. In the 2018 SEC tournament, he averaged 26.3 points across three games and was named to the All-Tournament team. After Alabama’s loss in the 2018 NCAA tournament, Sexton declared for the NBA draft.
Collin Sexton Career
Cleveland Cavaliers (2018–2022)
On June 21, 2018, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Sexton with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He became the highest-selected Alabama player since Antonio McDyess in 1995. Sexton made his NBA debut on October 17, 2018, coming off the bench with nine points and three rebounds against the Toronto Raptors.
During his rookie season, Sexton passed Kyrie Irving for the most three-pointers made by a Cavaliers rookie and surpassed 1,000 career points. From March 8 to 22, 2019, he became the first rookie to score at least 23 points in seven consecutive games since Tim Duncan in 1998. He was also named to the Rising Stars Game at NBA All-Star Weekend, recording 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists for Team USA.
In his second season, Sexton scored a career-high 41 points against the Boston Celtics and led Cleveland with 20.8 points per game, joining LeBron James and Kyrie Irving as the only Cavaliers to average at least 20 points before turning 22. The following year, he set a new career high of 42 points in a double-overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets and led the team again at 24.3 points per game. On November 7, 2021, he suffered a torn left meniscus that ended his season, and the Cavaliers extended him a qualifying offer in June 2022 to make him a restricted free agent.
Utah Jazz (2022–2025)
On September 3, 2022, Sexton was signed-and-traded to the Utah Jazz as part of the deal that sent Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland. The package also included Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three future first-round picks, and two future pick swaps. Sexton agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with the Jazz.
He debuted for Utah on October 19, 2022, recording 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench in a 123–102 win over the Denver Nuggets. Over three seasons with the Jazz, Sexton provided scoring punch as a guard and helped stabilize the perimeter rotation during a transitional period for the franchise.
Charlotte Hornets (2025–Present)
On June 29, 2025, Sexton was traded to the Charlotte Hornets alongside a 2030 second-round pick in exchange for Jusuf Nurkić. The move gave Charlotte another scoring option in the backcourt.
Sexton joined a young Hornets core and was expected to play a featured offensive role off the bench and in starting lineups. The change of scenery offered him a fresh opportunity to showcase his shot creation and perimeter shooting.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sexton is known for his aggressive drives to the basket, quick first step, and pull-up jumper from the mid-range. He pairs scoring instincts with improved playmaking, as shown by his career-high 4.4 assists per game with the Cavaliers in 2020–21. His ability to attack closeouts and convert at the rim remains his defining trait as a guard.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights include his 40-point performance at Minnesota, his 41-point game against Boston, and his 42-point outburst versus Brooklyn. Sexton was also the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Cup MVP and a 2017 McDonald’s All-American, milestones that framed his rapid rise from Atlanta-area standout to NBA lottery pick.
Collin Sexton Career Wins
Sexton’s career is highlighted by team and individual accomplishments rather than championship rings. His standout honors include the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Cup MVP, 2017 McDonald’s All-American selection, 2018 SEC Freshman of the Year, 2018 Second-team All-SEC, 2018 SEC All-Freshman Team, and 2019 NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
NBA Highlights
Across his NBA career, Sexton has posted multiple 40-point games and set Cleveland franchise rookie records for three-pointers. His All-Rookie Second Team selection in 2019 confirmed his standing as one of the top first-year players in the league.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international level, Sexton won a gold medal with the 2016 USA U17 team. In high school, he led Pebblebrook to a Georgia Region 3-6A title and a state championship game appearance.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|
Collin Sexton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sexton comes from a close-knit family in the Atlanta area. His parents, Darnell and Gia Sexton, raised Collin alongside his older brother, Jordan, and older sister, Giuana. The family environment supported his early commitment to basketball and helped shape his competitive drive.
Personal Life
Sexton was raised in Mableton, Georgia, with his mother, father, and brother. His siblings, particularly older brother Jordan, were part of his early basketball development. Sexton continues to be recognized by fans for his “Young Bull” nickname, which reflects his aggressive style on the court.
2025 Season Performance
Sexton entered the 2025 season with the Charlotte Hornets after being acquired in the June 2025 trade that sent Jusuf Nurkić to Utah. The move gave him a fresh role within a rebuilding backcourt and a chance to play extended minutes as a primary scorer.
His scoring track record across Cleveland and Utah, including averages of 20.8 and 24.3 points per game in his second and third NBA seasons, provided a clear benchmark for his expected impact. The Hornets leaned on his ability to attack the rim, draw fouls, and space the floor with his perimeter shot.
Looking ahead, Sexton’s blend of speed, shot creation, and improved playmaking positions him as a focal point of Charlotte’s offense. Consistency on defense and continued efficiency from three-point range will likely shape his trajectory as he builds toward the next phase of his NBA career.