C. J. McCollum

C. J. McCollum
McCollum with the Trail Blazers in March 2018
No. 3 – Portland Trail Blazers
Position Shooting guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1991-09-19) September 19, 1991
Canton, Ohio
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight 190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school GlenOak (Canton, Ohio)
College Lehigh (2009–2013)
NBA draft 2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Playing career 2013–present
Career history
2013–present Portland Trail Blazers
2014 →Idaho Stampede
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Christian James "C. J." McCollum (born September 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his third year in the league in 2015–16, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player.

McCollum played college basketball for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, and was the Patriot League Men's Basketball Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2012. He was selected by Portland with the 10th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. After two seasons as a reserve, he became a full-time starter for the Trail Blazers, after making the decision to move to shooting guard.

High school career

McCollum was greatly undersized as a freshman at GlenOak High School in Canton, Ohio in 2005, standing just 5 feet 2 inches tall.[1] However, he was the beneficiary of a late growth spurt, gaining 5 inches in height by the beginning of his second season and another 4 inches by the start of his junior year — enough size to put him on the radar for college recruitment.[1] In the first game of his junior year, McCollum scored 54 points to set the school's new single game scoring record.[1]

Throughout his high school years McCollum continued to work on his shooting stroke, a successful effort reflected by his 29.3 points per game average during his senior year.[1] McCollum graduated as the leading scorer in Golden Eagles history with 1405 career points and was named the Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year for the 2008–09 season.[1]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
C.J. McCollum
PG / SG		 Canton, Ohio GlenOak High 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Sep 17, 2008 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN grade: 83
Overall recruiting rankings:   ESPN: 91 (PG)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Lehigh Mountain Hawks 2009 Player Commits". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  • "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 27, 2017.

    College career

    McCollum, listed at 6'3" and just 165 pounds, came to Lehigh in 2009 and made an instant impact.[1] In his freshman year, McCollum averaged 19.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He made Patriot League history as he was the first freshman to be named conference player of the year.[2] In addition, he was named an AP honorable mention All-American. He led the Mountain Hawks to the 2010 NCAA Tournament, where he scored 26 points in a first-round loss to top seed Kansas.[3]

    As a sophomore, McCollum increased his averages to 21.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. However, his shooting percentages and Lehigh's record slipped and McCollum was beaten out for conference player of the year honors by Bucknell's Mike Muscala. He was named first team All-Conference.[3]

    As a junior, McCollum was again named Patriot League player of the year and earned his third straight first team all-conference designation.[4]

    In the 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, he scored 30 points as Lehigh won its first game against the Duke Blue Devils 75–70, only the sixth time that a 15th seed had defeated a 2nd seed and the second of the night.[5]

    McCollum's body continued to mature during his college years and he added 30 pounds of muscle during the interval.[1] Although he was already considered a top NBA draft prospect during his junior year, he explained his reasons for continuing his education at Lehigh in an article that he wrote for Sporting News.[6]

    On November 25, 2012, McCollum scored 26 points in a 91–77 win over Sacred Heart, surpassing Rob Feaster as the Patriot League's all-time leading scorer.[7] On January 5, 2013, McCollum broke his left foot in a game versus Virginia Commonwealth University, ending his season. He was a 2012–13 Senior CLASS Award finalist.[8] He received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Lehigh on May 20, 2013.[9][10]

    College awards and honors

    • 2× Patriot League Player of the Year (2010, 2012)
    • 3× First Team All-Patriot League (2010–2012)
    • 3× Patriot League All-Tournament team (2010–2012)
    • Patriot League Tournament MVP (2012)
    • Patriot League Rookie of the Year (2010)
    • Patriot League's all-time leading scorer (2361 points)

    Professional career

    Portland Trail Blazers (2013–present)

    2013–14 season

    Despite his injury ending his career with Lehigh, McCollum became the first Lehigh player ever drafted when he was taken 10th overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. On July 11, 2013, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Trail Blazers[11] and went on to play for the team in the 2013 NBA Summer League where he averaged 21 points and four rebounds per game.

    When the 2013 rookie class convened for its annual photo shoot and filled out its NBA.com Rookie Survey, the class voted McCollum as the co-favorite 2013–14 Rookie of the Year (with Victor Oladipo).[12] McCollum sat out the first six weeks of the season with a foot injury. On January 1, 2014, he was assigned to the Idaho Stampede.[13] After being recalled by the Trail Blazers on January 5, he made his NBA debut three days later, scoring four points in a 110–94 win over the Orlando Magic.[14] On February 8, he scored a season-high 19 points in a 117–110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[15]

    2014–15 season

    On October 27, 2014, the Trail Blazers exercised their third-year team option on McCollum's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.[16] On April 29, 2015, McCollum scored a then career-high 33 points in Portland's Game 5, first-round playoff loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.[17]

    2015–16 season

    On September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers exercised their fourth-year team option on McCollum's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.[18] With the departures of Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez, McCollum was elevated to the starting shooting guard spot for the 2015–16 season, teaming up with point guard Damian Lillard. On October 28, 2015, McCollum scored a career-high 37 points (including 22 points in the first quarter) in the Trail Blazers' 112–94 season opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[19] With an injury to Lillard in late December, McCollum moved over to the point. On December 27, he recorded 35 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in a 98–94 win over the Sacramento Kings. No Blazers player in the previous 29 years had put up numbers similar to McCollum's near triple-double. Clyde Drexler had at least 34 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists on five occasions.[20] McCollum returned to the starting shooting guard on January 4 following the return of Lillard from injury.[21] On February 12, he was named as a participant in the 2016 Three-Point Contest.[22] On April 5, he recorded his eighth 30-point game of the season in a 115–107 win over the Sacramento Kings.[23] McCollum finished the regular season with an average of 20.8 points per game, while Damian Lillard averaged 25.1 – making them the first backcourt in Blazers' history to average 20 or more points apiece.[24] McCollum subsequently earned NBA Most Improved Player honors for the 2015–16 season.[25]

    McCollum helped the Trail Blazers defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 4–2 in the first round of the playoffs, but in their second round match-up with the Golden State Warriors, the Trail Blazers were defeated, going down 4–1. In Game 5 of their series with the Warriors, McCollum had his third 27-point game of the playoffs in a 125–121 loss that ended their postseason run.[26]

    2016–17 season

    On July 27, 2016, McCollum signed a four-year contract extension with the Trail Blazers.[27] In the Trail Blazers' season opener on October 25, McCollum scored 25 points in a 113–104 win over the Utah Jazz.[28] Four days later, he recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a career-high three blocks in a 115–113 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets.[29] On November 6, he tied his career high with 37 points in a 100–94 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[30] On November 20, he scored 33 points and hit a career-high tying six three-pointers in a 129–109 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[31] On December 10, he made a career-high seven three-pointers and had 34 points in a 118–111 loss to the Indiana Pacers.[32] On January 1, 2017, McCollum set a new career high with 43 points in a 95–89 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[33] On January 13, he scored 26 points in a 115–109 loss to the Orlando Magic, extending his streak to eight consecutive games with at least 25 points—the third-longest in Portland history. Only Geoff Petrie (11 games) and Clyde Drexler (9) have longer streak among Blazer players.[34] On February 7, he scored 32 points, the last two on a runner from the top of the lane with 0.9 seconds left to give the Trail Blazers a 114–113 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[35] On March 28, he had a 39-point effort in a 122–113 win over Denver.[36] The Trail Blazers finished the regular season with a 41–41 record and entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

    On April 16, 2017, McCollum scored a playoff career-best 41 points in a 121–109 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their first-round series, becoming just the eighth Blazers player with a 40-point playoff performance.[37]

    2017–18 season

    Due to a one-game suspension for leaving the bench area during a preseason game, McCollum missed the Trail Blazers' season opener.[38] In his season debut on October 20, 2017, McCollum scored 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting to lead the Blazers past the Indiana Pacers 114–96.[39] On November 7, 2017, McCollum led Portland with 36 points in a 98–97 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.[40] On November 25, 2017, McCollum scored 26 points, including seven straight during a 10–0 game-closing run, to help the Trail Blazers overcome a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Washington Wizards 108–105.[41] On January 1, 2018, he scored 25 of his 32 points after halftime, including the tiebreaking basket with 56.5 seconds remaining in overtime, to help the Trail Blazers beat the Chicago Bulls 124–120.[42] On January 31, 2018, McCollum scored a franchise-record 28 points in the first quarter and finished with a career-high 50 through three periods before heading to the bench, as the Trail Blazers defeated the Bulls 124–108.[43] He joined Damian Lillard, Damon Stoudamire, Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Clyde Drexler and Geoff Petrie as Trail Blazers players to score 50 points or more.[43] On March 28, 2018, he had a 42-point effort in a 108–103 loss to the Grizzlies.[44] In Game 4 of the Trail Blazers' first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans, McCollum scored 38 points in a 131–123 loss. The loss eliminated Portland from the playoffs, as they lost the series in a four-game sweep.[45]

    Career statistics

    Legend
      GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
     FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
     RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
     BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
    * Led the league

    NBA

    Regular season

    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2013–14 Portland 38012.5.416.375.6761.3.7.4.15.3
    2014–15 Portland 62315.7.436.396.6991.51.0.7.16.8
    2015–16 Portland 808034.8.448.417.8273.24.31.2.320.8
    2016–17 Portland 808035.0.480.421.912*3.63.6.9.523.0
    2017–18 Portland 818136.1.443.397.8364.03.41.0.421.4
    Career 34124429.2.454.408.8423.02.9.9.317.2

    Playoffs

    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2014 Portland 604.0.091.0001.000.2.0.0.0.7
    2015 Portland 5133.2.478.478.7694.0.41.2.217.0
    2016 Portland 111140.2.426.345.8043.63.3.9.520.5
    2017 Portland 4435.0.400.500.9386.01.01.0.522.5
    2018 Portland 4438.8.519.423.7692.03.51.3.325.3
    Career 302030.9.438.396.8223.11.9.8.316.8

    College

    Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
    2009–10 Lehigh 333131.9.459.421.8105.02.41.3.219.1
    2010–11 Lehigh 313134.6.399.315.8457.82.12.5.721.8
    2011–12 Lehigh 353533.1.443.341.8116.53.52.6.521.9
    2012–13 Lehigh 121131.0.495.516.8495.02.91.4.323.9
    Career 11110832.9.439.377.8256.32.72.1.521.3

    Personal life

    McCollum's older brother, Errick, is also a professional basketball player. McCollum is interested in journalism, and has written material for various websites regarding the NBA.[46] He has also interviewed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.[47]

    McCollum is also involved with his community. In 2016, he opened up the CJ McCollum Dream Center, which is an innovative learning room outfitted with new computers, books, art and learning tools, at the Blazers Boys & Girls Club. The Dream Center aims to provide a safe and inspiring space for underserved youth to learn, explore, create and grow.[48] He also takes an interest in local youth journalists through an initiative called CJ's Press Pass. Students receive media credentials and attend a postgame news conference through CJ’s Press Pass, and it provides aspiring journalists the opportunity to attend events with McCollum, receive personalized mentorship from members of the media and to have their work published.[49]

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Freeman, Joe (July 9, 2013). "McCollum's Desire is Just the Right Size: The Once-Slender Guard Has Blossomed into a Hard-Working Playmaker". The Oregonian. pp. D1, D4.
    2. ↑ "Patriot League Men's Basketball All-League Teams and Awards Announced". Retrieved November 14, 2011.
    3. 1 2 "Lehigh athletics biography". Retrieved November 14, 2011.
    4. ↑ "2011–12 Men's Basketball All-Patriot League Teams and Major Awards Announced" (Press release). Patriot League. February 27, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
    5. ↑ Housenick, Tom (March 16, 2012). "NCAA basketball: Lehigh pulls off monumental upset of Duke". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
    6. ↑ "C.J. McCollum: Why I'm returning to Lehigh for my senior year". SportingNews.com. April 9, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
    7. ↑ "McCollum breaks record in 91–77 win at Sacred Heart". Lehigh University. November 25, 2012. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
    8. ↑ "Hulls Named Finalist for Senior CLASS Award". IUHoosiers.com. February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
    9. ↑ Olojede, Zion. "Lehigh alum C.J. McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player," Lehigh University Athletics, Friday, April 22, 2016.
    10. ↑ "C.J. McCollum: 'More than just a basketball player,'" Lehigh University, Tuesday, July 30, 2013.
    11. ↑ "Trail Blazers sign rookie CJ McCollum". OregonLive.com. July 11, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
    12. ↑ Schuhmann, John (August 26, 2013). "Magic's Oladipo among rookie favorites to stand out in 2013–14". NBA.com. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
    13. ↑ "Trail Blazers assign CJ McCollum to D-League". InsideHoops.com. January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
    14. ↑ "Notebook: Blazers 110, Magic 94". NBA.com. January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
    15. ↑ "C.J. McCollum 2013-14 Game Log". Baksetball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
    16. ↑ "Trail Blazers Exercise Team Options On Meyers Leonard And CJ McCollum". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
    17. ↑ "Grizzlies advance, beating Trail Blazers 99-93 in Game 5". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 29, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
    18. ↑ "Trail Blazers Exercise Team Options On McCollum, Plumlee and Vonleh". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
    19. ↑ "McCollum scores 37 as Blazers down Pelicans 112-94". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
    20. ↑ "McCollum scores 35 as Trail Blazers beat Kings 98-94". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 27, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
    21. ↑ "Randolph leads Grizzlies to 91-78 win over Trail Blazers". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 4, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
    22. ↑ "CJ McCollum to Compete in Foot Locker Three-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
    23. ↑ "McCollum has 30 as Trail Blazers beat Kings 115-107". NBA.com. April 5, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
    24. ↑ "Playoff destination sealed, Blazers beat Nuggets 107-99". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 13, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
    25. ↑ "Blazers' McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
    26. ↑ "Splash Brothers Curry, Thompson send Warriors to West finals". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. May 11, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
    27. ↑ "Trail Blazers Sign CJ McCollum to Contract Extension". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
    28. ↑ "Lillard scores 39, Blazers run home-opening win streak to 16". ESPN.com. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
    29. ↑ "Lillard hits floater, Blazers beat Nuggets 115-113 in OT". ESPN.com. October 29, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
    30. ↑ "McCollum matches career high, Blazers beat Grizzlies 100-94". ESPN.com. November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
    31. ↑ "McCollum scores 33 points, Trail Blazers beat Nets 129-109". ESPN.com. November 20, 2016. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
    32. ↑ "George has 37 points to lead Pacers over Blazers 118-111". ESPN.com. December 10, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
    33. ↑ "McCollum has 43 points, Trail Blazers top Timberwolves 95-89". ESPN.com. January 1, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
    34. ↑ "Vucevic's season-high 30 lead Magic past Blazers, 115-109". ESPN.com. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
    35. ↑ "McCollum's winner sends Blazers past Mavs 114-113". ESPN.com. February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
    36. ↑ "Blazers beat Nuggets to take 1-game lead for 8th seed". ESPN.com. March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
    37. ↑ "Durant shines in Warriors playoff debut in Game 1 win". ESPN.com. April 16, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
    38. ↑ "Blazers hand Suns worst loss ever in season opener, 124-76". ESPN.com. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
    39. ↑ "McCollum's scores 28 in Blazers' 114-96 win over Pacers". ESPN.com. October 20, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
    40. ↑ "Evans, Conley help Grizzlies hold off Trail Blazers 98-97". ESPN.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
    41. ↑ "McCollum helps Blazers to 108-105 comeback win over Wizards". ESPN.com. November 25, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
    42. ↑ "McCollum scores 32, leads Blazers over Bulls 124-120 in OT". ESPN.com. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
    43. 1 2 "McCollum scores 50 in 3 quarters, Blazers beat Bulls 124-108". ESPN.com. January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
    44. ↑ "MarShon Brooks scores 21 as Grizzlies beat Blazers 108-103". ESPN.com. March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
    45. ↑ "Davis' 47 points leads Pelicans to sweep of Trail Blazers". ESPN.com. April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
    46. ↑ "C.J. McCollum: 'More Than Just a Basketball Player'". June 27, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
    47. ↑ "CJ Sits Down with the Commish". NBA. July 9, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
    48. ↑ "CJ McCollum Dream Center Opens at Blazers Boys & Girls Club". November 8, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
    49. ↑ "Portland's CJ McCollum is a Silent Assassin on the Court and a Blooming Journalist Off of it". February 10, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
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