CJ McCollum is a prominent figure in the NBA, known for his exceptional skills and dedication to the game. Born Christian James McCollum on September 19th, 1991, in Canton, Ohio, he has become one of the league’s most skilled athletes. Despite facing challenges during his high school career, CJ’s determination and hard work have propelled him to success.

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Quick Facts

Full Name	Christian James McCollum
Birth Date	September 19th, 1991
Birth Place	Canton, Ohio
Age	32 Years Old
Nickname	“CJ,” “Chef CJ”
Religion	Christianity
Nationality	American
Education	GlenOak High School, Lehigh University
Horoscope	Virgo
Father’s Name	Errick McCollum I
Mother’s Name	Kathy Andrews
Siblings	Errick McCollum
Height	6’3” (1.91 m)
Weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Build	Athletic
Shoe Size	12.5
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Black
Position	Shooting guard
League	NBA
Team	Portland Trail Blazers
Jersey Number	3
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Elise McCollum
Children	None
Profession	Professional Basketball Player
NBA Draft	2013/ Round: 1 / Pick: 10th overall
Net Worth	$14 million
Career Highlights & Awards	NBA Most Improved Player- 2016 2× AP Honorable Mention All-American- 2010, 2012 2× Patriot League Player of the Year- 2010, 2012 3× First-team All-Patriot League- 2010–2012 Patriot League Rookie of the Year- 2010 No. 3 retired by Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Social Media	Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Merch	Cards, Autographed Items
Playing Career	2013- present

CJ McCollum Early Life, Family, & Education 

CJ McCollum was born to parents Errick McCollum I and Kathy Andrews. He has an older brother, Errick McCollum, a professional basketball player in the EuroLeague and Khimki of the VTB United League.

CJ, a Virgo by zodiac sign, embodies traits such as hard work, reliability, and creativity. Standing at 6’3″ (1.91 m) and weighing 190 lb (86 kg), CJ’s athletic build complements his role as a shooting guard in the NBA.

Both McCollum brothers attended GlenOak High School in Plain Township, Ohio, where they played for the Golden Eagles. CJ continued his education at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, representing the Mountain Hawks.

Career and Profession High School Career 

CJ’s basketball journey began in high school, where his dedication to the sport shone through. Despite being considered undersized during his early years, he persevered and played varsity basketball for the Golden Eagles. A late growth spurt during his high school years allowed him to catch the attention of college recruiters.

In his senior season, CJ’s hard work paid off as he averaged an impressive 29.3 points per game, becoming the all-time leading scorer in the Golden Eagles’ history.

College Career Freshman Year 

At Lehigh University, CJ made an immediate impact during his first year in the 2009–2010 season. He was recognized as the nation’s leading freshman scorer and earned both the Rookie of the Year and Conference Player titles in the Patriot League. Additionally, he received an Associated Press distinguished mention All-American.

During this year, CJ led the Mountain Hawks to the 2010 NCAA Tournament, where he showcased his skills with a 26-point performance against a top-seeded Kansas team.

Sophomore Year 

CJ’s sophomore year saw his averages rise to 27.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. He earned the title of First Team All-Conference in the 2010-2011 season.

Junior Year 

In the 2011–2012 season, CJ again claimed the Patriot League Player of the Year title and his third consecutive First Team All-Conference recognition. This year, the Mountain Hawks achieved a historic win over the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Division I Tournament, with CJ scoring a remarkable 30 points.

Senior Year 

CJ continued to grow physically and added 30 pounds of muscle to his frame during his collegiate years. Despite being considered a top NBA draft pick by his junior year, he chose to complete his senior season at Lehigh University.

In November 2012, CJ became the Patriot League’s all-time leading scorer. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury by breaking his left foot in a match against Virginia Commonwealth University in January 2013. CJ graduated from Lehigh University in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Portland Trail Blazers 2013–2014 Season 

CJ McCollum made history as the first player to enter the NBA from a private school when he was selected tenth overall in the NBA draft in 2013 by the Portland Trail Blazers. After signing his rookie deal contract with the franchise in July 2013, he participated in the NBA Summer League.

However, CJ missed the first six weeks of the season due to a foot injury. He briefly joined the Idaho Stampede of the development league but was soon recalled by the Blazers. In his NBA debut, CJ scored four points and continued to make valuable contributions throughout the season.

2014–2015 Season 

In the 2014–2015 season, the Trail Blazers extended CJ’s rookie scale contract. He played an average of 15.7 minutes per game, showcasing his skills with rebounds, assists, and an average of 6.8 points over 62 games. CJ also had a memorable performance, scoring a career-high 33 points in a playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

2015–2016 Season 

CJ’s performance reached new heights during the 2015–2016 season. He recorded a near-triple-double with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists against the Sacramento Kings, a feat unmatched in Blazer’s history in nearly three decades. He also participated in the All-Star Weekend’s Three-Point Contest and earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player award.

While CJ helped the Trail Blazers secure victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs, they were eventually eliminated by the Golden State Warriors.

2016–2017 Season 

CJ continued to excel in the 2016–2017 season, leading to the Portland Trail Blazers extending his contract for another four years in July 2016. He achieved a career-high of 41 points in a game against the Golden State Warriors.

2017–2018 Season 

CJ missed the 2017-2018 season opener due to a single-game suspension but played 80 games. He scored a franchise-record 28 points in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls.

2018–2019 Season 

In the 2018-2019 season, CJ climbed the Blazers’ career list for three-pointers, surpassing Damon Stoudamire. He also missed ten games due to a left knee injury. CJ’s stellar performance in Game 7 of the playoffs helped the Trail Blazers advance to the WC Finals for the first time since 2000.

2019–2020 Season 

During the 2019-2020 season, CJ set a new season-high score with a 41-point, 9-rebound, 12-assist game against the Detroit Pistons. His consistent contributions on the court solidified his reputation as one of the Blazers’ top players.

Salary and Net Worth 

CJ McCollum is a valuable asset to the Portland Trail Blazers, and his earnings reflect his status in the league. His total earnings from 2013 to 2019 amounted to approximately $60 million. CJ is under contract with the Blazers, with an annual salary of around $27 million.

In addition to his basketball career, CJ owns a property in Ohio valued at approximately $1.6 million and possesses luxury cars, including Mercedes Benz, GMC, and Ford. He has also secured endorsement deals with Nike and Li-Ning.

CJ McCollum’s estimated net worth stands at $14 million, making him financially successful both on and off the court.

CJ McCollum Personal Life 

In the fall of 2020, CJ McCollum married his long-time girlfriend, Elise Esposito, a dentist and graduate of Columbia University. The couple engaged in 2018 and has since embarked on their journey together.

Hairstyles and Appearance 

CJ McCollum is known for his ever-changing hairstyles and appearance. He embraces various looks, from braids to a bald head, from curly hair to a taper cut. His style versatility adds to his unique identity on and off the court.

Podcast and Talk Show 

In addition to his NBA career, CJ McCollum has a passion for journalism. He hosts the “Pull Up with CJ McCollum” podcast, co-hosted by Jordan Schultz. He is also part of the talk show series “ReMaking America,” where he addresses social issues and interviews athletes, politicians, and community leaders. The show airs on “The PlayersTV,” an athlete-owned media network.

Back and Forth with Kevin Durant 

In June 2018, CJ McCollum had a memorable exchange with All-Star Kevin Durant on his podcast. The discussion turned heated as they debated Durant’s decision to join the Golden State Warriors. While the exchange garnered attention and reactions, CJ later clarified that the two had no hard feelings.

Trade Talks Between Sixers and Blazers 

Rumors of a potential trade involving CJ McCollum and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons have circulated in the NBA community. Both players have similar salaries, making them attractive trade candidates. However, the trade remains speculative, with factors such as age and potential playing a role in discussions.

Social Media Presence 

CJ McCollum maintains an active presence on social media platforms, with millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. His engagement with fans and his posts showcase his life on and off the court.

Philanthropy 

CJ McCollum is actively involved in philanthropy through the CJ McCollum Dream Center. This initiative aims to provide innovative learning spaces for underserved youth at the Blazers Boys and Girls Club. The Dream Center equips young individuals with new computers, books, and learning tools, fostering an inspiring environment for growth and creativity.

Other Interests 

Beyond basketball, CJ McCollum is a wine enthusiast with his wine label, McCollum Heritage 91, named after the year of his birth and the street where he grew up.

CJ’s passion for journalism is further evident through his initiative called CJ’s Press Pass, which encourages local youth to pursue careers in journalism. The program grants access to postgame conferences, mentorship from media professionals, and opportunities to publish their work.

Who is Elise Esposito McCollum?

CJ McCollum’s wife, Elise Esposito, is known for maintaining a relatively low profile, unlike her husband’s celebrity status as an NBA player. The couple has been together since their college days at Lehigh University, where they both attended. They met at Lehigh, and their relationship grew as CJ McCollum pursued his career in the NBA.

Private Life and Low Profile 

Elise Esposito, the wife of CJ McCollum, is known for maintaining a low profile regarding her personal life. While CJ McCollum embraces his status as a professional athlete and the attention that comes with it, he and Elise prefer to keep their romantic relationship away from the public eye. This privacy preference is partly due to the intrusive nature of media and fans, which often delve into the personal lives of public figures. CJ once remarked that fans and the media seem to know everything about celebrities, including details as personal as their relationships.

Relationship and Social Media 

While the couple prefers privacy, CJ McCollum occasionally shares glimpses of his relationship with Elise on social media platforms. Although he doesn’t discuss their relationship extensively, he has posted pictures of them together. On the other hand, Elise keeps her Instagram account private but still has a significant following, indicating the interest fans have in the couple’s private life.

Meeting at Lehigh University 

CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito’s love story began during their college days at Lehigh University. This institution played a crucial role in both of their lives. CJ McCollum gained recognition as a basketball player at Lehigh, and during this time, he and Elise met. Elise, a Behavioral Science major, graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2013. Their relationship blossomed as CJ pursued his NBA career, and they remained connected to their alma mater even after graduation.

Elise’s Educational and Professional Journey 

Elise’s academic journey is notable. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she pursued a Master’s in Engineering, demonstrating her commitment to education. However, she eventually found her true calling in dentistry. She began working as a dental assistant under her father, who is an award-winning dentist. Later, Elise pursued a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. She completed her doctorate, and she now practices dentistry.

Engagement and Wedding 

CJ McCollum proposed to Elise Esposito in September 2018 during a memorable boat ride in New York City. He shared the engagement on social media, capturing the moment when the couple exchanged smiles with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Their engagement was a significant milestone in their relationship, and it was met with joy from fans and well-wishers.

Support at Blazers Games 

Elise Esposito has been a dedicated supporter of her husband’s career, attending as many Portland Trail Blazers home games as possible. This level of support is admirable, especially considering her commitment to her education and career, which included residing in New York for her studies at Columbia University. CJ McCollum also made efforts to visit her during his busy NBA schedule. While some fans speculated about CJ’s preference for New York teams due to Elise’s residence, the couple remained loyal to the Blazers franchise.