Last Updated on July 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

CJ McCollum has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most polished offensive guards, using crafty footwork, a dependable jump shot, and exceptional composure to score from virtually anywhere on the floor. Beyond his production, his leadership, professionalism, and steady presence have made him an influential veteran both on the court and throughout the league.

Here’s the information on CJ McCollum:

  • Full Name: Christian James McCollum
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: September 19, 1991
  • Hometown: Canton, Ohio, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kilograms)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters)
  • Shoe Size: 12 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Li-Ning CJ 2, Li-Ning CJ 1, Li-Ning Speed VII, Li-Ning Speed VI, Li-Ning Sonic 7, Li-Ning YuShuai 12, Li-Ning Sonic 6, Li-Ning YuShuai 11
  • Jersey Number: #3 (Portland Trail Blazers), #3 (New Orleans Pelicans)
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
  • High School: GlenOak High School (Canton, Ohio)
  • College: Lehigh University (2009–2013)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 10th overall in the 1st round of the 2013 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers
  • Player Archetype: Shot-creating combo guard / half-court scoring initiator
  • Primary Offensive Role: Pick-and-roll creator and three-level shot maker
  • Defensive Role: Team-scheme perimeter defender on opposing guards
  • Play Style: Craft-based scorer using footwork, pull-ups, and change of pace with secondary playmaking
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Smooth, controlled athlete with average burst, strong balance, and elite shot creation skill
  • Recruiting Status: Lightly recruited 2-star prospect
  • Draft Status Detail: Four-year college scorer who rose into lottery range after leading NCAA scoring and strong pre-draft evaluations
  • Injury Status Category: Generally durable; occasional minor foot and knee issues during career
  • Career Stage: Veteran starter / offensive leader
  • Comparison Style: Similar stylistic mold to mid-range scoring combo guards (e.g., polished shot creators rather than explosive slashers)
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Portland Trail Blazers (2013–2022)
    2. New Orleans Pelicans (2022–Present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Parents: Errick McCollum Sr., Kathy Andrews
  • Kids: One son, Jacobi James McCollum (born in 2022)
  • Siblings: Errick McCollum (older brother) – Professional basketball player who has played overseas, including in China and Europe.
  • Athlete Relatives: Errick McCollum — professional basketball player (international leagues)

As a player archetype, CJ McCollum fits the mold of a shot-creating combo guard who serves as a controlled half-court offensive engine, blending scoring craft with secondary playmaking. Defensively, he typically handles opposing guards within team schemes, using positioning and awareness rather than length or physical disruption, often operating as a steady but low-event perimeter defender. Offensively, McCollum thrives as a three-level scorer and pick-and-roll initiator, leveraging tight handle, change-of-pace footwork, and elite pull-up shooting to create mid-range looks, punish drop coverage, and space the floor off the catch. His physical traits—average guard size, balanced frame, and smooth rather than explosive athleticism—reinforce a deliberate tempo built on skill and shot creation. Overall, his play style centers on controlled isolation scoring, patient pick-and-roll reads, and late-clock shot making, allowing him to function as a reliable half-court creator who stabilizes offensive possessions.

Scouting Report

Watching CJ McCollum, I’ve always thought the footwork tells you more than the scoring totals ever could. Everything starts with balance—hesitation dribbles that freeze a defender for half a beat, sharp inside-out moves that create just enough separation, and an ability to stop on a dime without losing shooting mechanics. He thrives in pick-and-rolls because he manipulates the screener’s defender as much as his own, snaking into the middle of the floor, rejecting screens when defenders cheat over the top, or patiently forcing a big to commit before lifting a soft floater or pulling up from the elbows. The interesting thing is that his passing is often understated because it comes as a reaction to defensive decisions rather than as an effort to manufacture highlight assists. Once the low man slides over, he’ll zip the ball to the dunker spot or hit the weak-side wing without hesitation, although there are stretches where he leans into difficult shot-making instead of moving the ball one pass earlier. Defensively, he’s competitive and generally understands where the next rotation should come from, but size places a ceiling on how much ground he can realistically cover. Bigger guards can shoot over him, physical wings can move him off preferred spots, and teams will occasionally hunt those matchups through repeated screening actions. That’s where the trade-off sits: the offensive creativity is valuable enough that you accept some defensive limitations, provided the personnel around him can absorb the tougher assignments. He’s best alongside a bigger initiator or a frontcourt playmaker who allows him to attack shifting defenses instead of carrying every possession from the opening dribble, because his scoring becomes even more efficient when he can relocate, work out of DHOs, or attack a closeout after the first action has already bent the floor. Stylistically, there are shades of Lou Williams in the way he generates shots from awkward spaces, while his polished mid-range package and patient pick-and-roll craft occasionally resemble Mike Conley, even if McCollum is more inclined to hunt his own jumper once he gets a defender on his heels.

Profile Notes & Context

  • CJ McCollum’s height with shoes was 6 feet 3.25 inches as a rookie and up to 6 feet 4.25 inches today.
  • CJ McCollum’s playing weight was 197 pounds as a rookie and 190 pounds during the 2023-24 season.
  • Similar players to CJ McCollum include Bradley Beal, Jordan Poole, Jalen Brunson, Tyler Herro, Anthony Simons, Jamal Crawford, Lou Williams, Monta Ellis, Mike Bibby, and Jason Terry.

Sources:
The Ringer — The Pelicans Finally Have the Guard They Needed in CJ McCollum
SB Nation — CJ McCollum gives the Pelicans the half-court shot creation they desperately needed
Rip City Project — CJ McCollum’s offensive versatility remains his greatest strength