History of CJ McCollum in Timeline

CJ McCollum is a professional basketball player currently playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. He was drafted tenth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2013 after a successful college career at Lehigh University, where he earned Patriot League Player of the Year honors twice. McCollum spent nine seasons with Portland, becoming a key player and earning the NBA Most Improved Player award in 2016. In 2022, he was traded to the Pelicans, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 19, 1991: CJ McCollum's Birth

On September 19, 1991, Christian James McCollum, now known as CJ McCollum, was born. He is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Trail Blazers Reached Western Conference Finals

In 2018-2019 season, CJ McCollum helped the Trail Blazers advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.

2005: Played Varsity as a Freshman

In 2005, as a freshman at GlenOak High School, CJ McCollum, standing at 5 ft 2 in, played varsity basketball for the Golden Eagles, relying on his athleticism.

2008: Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year

By the 2008-09 season, CJ McCollum was named Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year.

2009: Joins Lehigh University

In 2009, CJ McCollum joined Lehigh University and made an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks.

2010: Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Year

In 2010, CJ McCollum was named the Patriot League Player and Rookie of the Year, becoming the first player in Patriot League history to achieve this.

2010: Increased Averages as a Sophomore

In 2010-11 season, McCollum, as a sophomore, increased his averages to 21.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per outing. However, he was edged out for conference Player of the Year honors.

2011: Earned Patriot League Player of the Year

In 2011–12 campaign, McCollum earned Patriot League Player of the Year.

November 25, 2012: Patriot League's All-Time Leading Scorer

On November 25, 2012, CJ McCollum scored 26 points in a win over Sacred Heart, surpassing Rob Feaster to become the Patriot League's all-time leading scorer.

2012: Second Patriot League Player of the Year Award

In 2012, CJ McCollum earned his second Patriot League Player of the Year award while playing for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks.

2012: Victory Against Duke Blue Devils

In 2012, the Mountain Hawks beat the Duke Blue Devils, 75–70, in the school's first ever victory at the NCAA Division I tournament, during which McCollum posted a game-high 30 points.

January 5, 2013: Broke Left Foot

On January 5, 2013, CJ McCollum broke his left foot in a game against the VCU Rams, which ended his season early.

2013: Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers

In 2013, CJ McCollum was drafted tenth overall in the NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming the first player from Lehigh to enter the NBA.

2013: Voted Rookie of the Year

In 2013, CJ McCollum was voted the 2013–14 Rookie of the Year (together with Victor Oladipo) based on an NBA.com survey.

January 1, 2014: Assigned to the Idaho Stampede

On January 1, 2014, CJ McCollum was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA development league.

October 27, 2014: Contract Extended Through 2015-16

On October 27, 2014, the Portland Trail Blazers exercised their third-year team option to extend CJ McCollum's rookie scale contract through the 2015–16 season.

September 30, 2015: Contract extended through 2016-17 season

On September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers exercised their fourth-year team option to extend CJ McCollum's rookie scale-contract through the 2016–17 season.

2015: Scored a Career-High of 33 Points

During a first-round playoff loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 in 2015, CJ McCollum scored a then career-high of 33 points.

July 27, 2016: Signed a Four-Year Contract Extension

On July 27, 2016, CJ McCollum signed a four-year contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers.

2016: NBA Most Improved Player

In 2016, CJ McCollum earned NBA Most Improved Player honors for his breakout 2015–16 season, averaging 20.8 points per game.

2016: Opened CJ McCollum Dream Center

In 2016, CJ McCollum opened the CJ McCollum Dream Center at the Blazers Boys & Girls Club. The center is an innovative learning room equipped with computers, books, art, and learning tools.

April 16, 2017: Playoff Career-Best 41 Points

On April 16, 2017, during Game 1 of the first-round series against the Warriors, CJ McCollum scored 41 points, marking his postseason career-best and making him the eighth Blazer with a 40-point playoff performance.

November 6, 2018: Scored 40 Points Against the Bucks

On November 6, 2018, CJ McCollum scored 40 points during a 118–103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

November 21, 2019: Season-High 37 Points

On November 21, 2019, CJ McCollum scored a then season-high 37 points, along with 6 rebounds and 10 assists, in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

February 23, 2020: Surpassed Season-High with 41 Points

On February 23, 2020, CJ McCollum surpassed his previous season-high with a 41-point, 9-rebound, 12-assist performance in a victory over the Detroit Pistons.

March 2020: NBA Season Suspension Announcement During Podcast

In March 2020, while recording an episode of his podcast, "Pull Up with CJ McCollum", McCollum received the news that the NBA was suspending the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

October 27, 2020: Marriage to Elise Esposito

On October 27, 2020, CJ McCollum married his college sweetheart, Elise Esposito.

December 26, 2020: Season-High Performance and Game-Winning Shot

On December 26, 2020, CJ McCollum achieved a season-high of 44 points and secured a game-winning three-pointer in a 128–126 overtime victory against the Houston Rockets.

August 7, 2021: Elected President of the National Basketball Players Association

On August 7, 2021, CJ McCollum succeeded Chris Paul to become the president of the National Basketball Players Association.

December 7, 2021: Pneumothorax Diagnosis

On December 7, 2021, CJ McCollum received a diagnosis of pneumothorax, leading to an indefinite period of being sidelined.

2021: Elected President of the National Basketball Players Association

In 2021, CJ McCollum was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), succeeding Chris Paul.

January 10, 2022: Birth of Son Jacobi

On January 10, 2022, CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito welcomed their son, Jacobi.

January 17, 2022: Return from Injury

On January 17, 2022, CJ McCollum returned from injury, scoring 16 points in a 98–88 victory against the Orlando Magic.

February 8, 2022: Trade to the New Orleans Pelicans

On February 8, 2022, CJ McCollum, along with Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell, was traded from Portland to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomáš Satoranský, Didi Louzada, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, the better of New Orleans' and Portland's 2026 second-round draft picks and New Orleans' 2027 second-round draft pick.