CJ McCollum

CJ McCollum is an American professional basketball player, podcaster, and wine entrepreneur. A smooth-shooting guard known for his mid-range game and basketball IQ, he has spent over a decade in the NBA, most notably with the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans. McCollum won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2016 and has been a consistent 20-point-per-game scorer for much of his career. Off the court, he serves as president of the National Basketball Players Association, hosts the podcast Pull Up with CJ McCollum, and runs his own wine brand, McCollum Heritage 91. His articulate, thoughtful public persona has made him one of the league's most respected voices.[edit]

McCollum grew up in Canton, Ohio, in a basketball-centric household. His father Errick Sr. played college football, and his older brother Errick Jr. became a professional basketball star overseas. At GlenOak High School, McCollum was a four-year starter who averaged 29.3 points per game as a senior, yet he received little attention from major Division I programs. He committed to Lehigh University in the Patriot League, a decision that would define his path. In his sophomore season, McCollum exploded onto the national stage by scoring 30 points to lead the No. 15 seed Mountain Hawks to a stunning 75-70 upset over No. 2 seed Duke in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. That performance, combined with two Patriot League Player of the Year awards, put him firmly on the NBA radar. He graduated as Lehigh's second all-time leading scorer with 2,361 points.[edit]

McCollum was selected 10th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. A foot injury limited him to 38 games as a rookie, but he broke out in the 2015-16 season, averaging 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists to earn the NBA Most Improved Player Award. He signed a four-year, $106 million contract extension in 2016. Alongside Damian Lillard, McCollum formed one of the league's most potent backcourts, leading Portland to eight consecutive playoff appearances and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2019. In 2021, he was elected president of the NBPA, becoming the youngest player to hold the role at age 29. In February 2022, he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he signed a two-year, $64 million extension in 2023. As of 2026, he remains a veteran leader for the Pelicans, averaging over 20 points per game and mentoring younger players while continuing his NBPA duties.[edit]

McCollum is widely regarded as one of the most articulate and thoughtful players in the NBA. Media outlets often highlight his polished speaking style, his journalism background, and his willingness to engage on social issues. On the court, he is known for a fundamentally sound, high-IQ game built on a smooth jump shot and crafty footwork. Off the court, his signature style includes tailored suits and a passion for wine. His podcast Pull Up has become a respected platform for long-form conversations with players, executives, and cultural figures. Fans, who sometimes call themselves Heritage fans, appreciate his professionalism and authenticity. His social media presence is measured, blending basketball analysis, family moments, and wine recommendations.[edit]

CJ McCollum's fame is as steady as his mid-range jumper, built on years of consistency rather than a single viral moment. He has never cracked the iFANN Global Top 1,000, and he holds no placement in any Top-100 scope list as of August 2026. That's not a slight; it's a reflection of a career that thrives on substance over spectacle. McCollum is the rare player whose influence is felt more in locker rooms, boardrooms, and podcast studios than in the glare of a headline. His fanbase has no formal name, no 'Nation' or 'Army', but it's a devoted, knowledgeable following that spans Portland, New Orleans, Washington, and now Atlanta, where he's become a mentor to younger players. What McCollum lacks in ranking, he makes up for in cultural weight: as NBPA president, he's shaped league policy; as a podcaster, he's given fans a masterclass in basketball IQ; as a wine entrepreneur, he's built a brand that's as thoughtful as his game. For a player who once said some guys 'don't really like basketball,' McCollum's own passion is undeniable. His fame isn't measured in clicks or votes, it's earned in the respect of his peers and the loyalty of fans who appreciate the art of the game.[edit]

CJ McCollum is a classically trained pianist who took lessons from age 6 through high school, a discipline that mirrors his precise footwork on the court. He majored in journalism at Lehigh and has said he would have pursued a career in writing if not for basketball, a skill he now channels into his podcast and wine brand. His wine brand, McCollum Heritage 91, is named after his birth year and family heritage, producing Oregon Pinot Noir. McCollum has a photographic memory for basketball plays and is known for obsessive film study, a trait that has made him a coach on the floor. He's also a minority investor in the Portland Pickles, a collegiate summer baseball team, and has never missed the NBA playoffs in his career.

One legend fans still retell: during the 2026 season, McCollum dropped 46 points with 10 three-pointers in a game in Washington, becoming the first Wizards player, or opponent, to achieve that feat, a performance that became a viral highlight. Another iconic moment came in April 2026, when he inherited the 'MSG villain' role from Trae Young, leading Atlanta to a road win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, a game that cemented his place in that rivalry. And after the All-Star break, he led the Hawks to a 19-4 record as a starter, a run that became a defining chapter of his career.[edit]

McCollum's parents are Errick McCollum Sr., a former college football player at Glenville State, and Kathy McCollum. He has two older brothers: Errick McCollum Jr., who played professionally overseas and was the EuroCup MVP in 2019, and Logan McCollum. McCollum married Marissa Harris, a former college basketball player at UNC Wilmington, in August 2020. The couple has two children: son Jacobi Christian (born December 2021) and daughter Mila Rose (born August 2023). The family resides in New Orleans during the NBA season. McCollum has described his upbringing as tight-knit and basketball-focused, with his brothers serving as early mentors.[edit]

McCollum formed a celebrated backcourt with Damian Lillard in Portland from 2013 to 2022, leading the Trail Blazers to eight straight playoff appearances. In New Orleans, he plays alongside Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. He succeeded Chris Paul as NBPA president and has worked closely with LeBron James on union matters. His older brother, Errick McCollum Jr., is a professional basketball player who won EuroCup MVP in 2019. McCollum's college coach at Lehigh was Brett Reed.[edit]

McCollum dated Elise Esposito, a New York-based model and actress, from around 2015 to 2017; the relationship was relatively private. He was then linked to fitness model Shayna Taylor in 2018-2019, a brief relationship that ended amicably. In August 2020, he married Marissa Harris, a former college basketball player at UNC Wilmington, in a private ceremony. The couple has two children: son Jacobi Christian (born December 2021) and daughter Mila Rose (born August 2023). As of 2026, McCollum remains married to Harris, and the family lives in New Orleans during the NBA season.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates CJ McCollum's net worth at $65 million. The bulk of his wealth comes from NBA salary: he has earned over $150 million in career earnings, including a four-year, $106 million extension with Portland in 2016 and a two-year, $64 million extension with New Orleans in 2023, paying roughly $32 million per season. Endorsements with Nike's Jordan Brand, Hulu, and local partnerships add an estimated $3-5 million annually. His wine brand, McCollum Heritage 91, launched in 2016, produces Oregon Pinot Noir and generates estimated annual revenue of $2-5 million. His podcast Pull Up with CJ McCollum brings in sponsorship income. He has invested in tech startups and real estate, including a home in New Orleans purchased for $3.5 million in 2022. His production company, McCollum Media, founded in 2022, produces basketball and lifestyle content.[edit]

McCollum won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2016 after averaging 20.8 points per game. In college, he was a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year (2010, 2012) and the Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2010. He earned AP Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2012. In 2024, he was inducted into the Lehigh University Athletics Hall of Fame.[edit]