Collin Sexton

Collin Darnell Sexton, born January 4, 1999, in Marietta, Georgia, is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers. A McDonald's All-American in high school, he played one season at Alabama before being drafted eighth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018. Known for his explosive scoring and relentless motor, Sexton earned the nickname "Young Bull" and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019. After stints with the Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets, he joined the Lakers in 2025, providing instant offense off the bench. As of 2026, he remains a key rotation player, averaging around 12-15 points per game.[edit]

Sexton grew up in Marietta, Georgia, raised primarily by his grandmother, Faye Sexton, after his mother struggled to care for him. Faye worked multiple jobs to support them, and Collin often wore hand-me-downs. A late bloomer physically, he stood only 5'9" as a high school freshman and was cut from the varsity team as a sophomore, a slight that fueled his legendary work ethic. He transferred to Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, where he spent countless hours in the gym, often waking at 5 AM to train. By his senior year, he averaged 29.7 points per game, earned McDonald's All-American honors, and won MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic. He committed to Alabama, where in his lone season he averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, earning SEC Freshman of the Year and All-SEC Second Team honors. His 40-point game against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament cemented his status as a top NBA prospect.[edit]

The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Sexton with the eighth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impact, averaging 16.7 points per game as a rookie and earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. In his sophomore season, he raised his scoring to a career-high 24.3 points per game, including a 41-point outburst against the Chicago Bulls. A torn meniscus in his left knee limited him to 11 games in 2021. In 2022, the Cavaliers traded him to the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-deal that sent Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland; Sexton signed a four-year, $72 million contract. Injuries continued to hamper him in Utah, and in 2024 he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, where he averaged 18.4 points and 5.2 assists. After the season, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, taking on a sixth-man role. As of 2026, he is a key reserve for the Lakers, known for his instant scoring and energy off the bench.[edit]

Sexton's on-court persona is defined by his explosive first step, relentless energy, and a never-back-down attitude. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, a trait rooted in being overlooked early in his career. Media portrayals often label him a polarizing player: praised for his scoring and motor but criticized for shot selection and defensive lapses. Off the court, he presents as positive, motivational, and family-oriented, frequently sharing posts about his grandmother and his faith. His fanbase is strongest in Alabama, where he is still a beloved college figure. He does not have an official fandom name.[edit]

Collin Sexton's fame is a curious thing: a player who has never been a top-10 scorer, never been an All-Star, yet whose story, from being cut in high school to the "Young Bull" who broke his nose and kept playing, has made him a recognizable figure to basketball fans worldwide. As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Sexton, but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, not in the Global Top 1,000, nor on any Top-100 scope list. That's not a slight; it's a reflection of a career built on grit rather than glamour, a player whose fame is organic, not manufactured.

His fanbase, while passionate, has no formal name, no "Sexton Squad" or "Bullpen" officially adopted. Instead, they rally around his nickname, "Young Bull," a brand so strong it's his Instagram handle. They've followed him from Cleveland's rebuild, where he was a bright spot in a dark era, to Utah's bench, and now to Los Angeles, where his reunion with Walker Kessler has sparked a new wave of excitement. Jazz fans feel a bittersweet pang seeing the duo together in purple and gold; Lakers fans are just happy to have a player who plays with relentless fire. His social media, though modest in post count, engages fans with motivational hashtags like #MoveWithAPurpose and #BeDifferent, and his willingness to share personal details, like why he chose No. 10, keeps the connection real. The "Lakers regret" narrative, suggesting he missed a Warriors opportunity, is speculative, but it fuels the "what if" chatter that makes fandom fun.[edit]

Collin Sexton's nickname "Young Bull" was given by his high school coach for his fearless playing style. He is an avid fisherman, often spending his offseasons on the water to relax, and a known sneakerhead with a large collection of Nike and Jordan Brand shoes. He was cut from his high school varsity team as a sophomore, an event he says "changed my life." Despite scoring 40 points in the SEC Tournament against Kentucky, Alabama lost the game 86-63.

One of the most iconic moments of his college career came during a game against Auburn in February 2018, when he suffered a broken nose but refused to leave the court. The story has become legendary, with fans retelling how he played through the pain, cementing his reputation for toughness. Another fan favorite is his 2024-25 season with the Utah Jazz, where his explosive scoring highlights circulated widely online, reinforcing the "Young Bull" persona. More recently, his reunion with former Jazz teammate Walker Kessler on the Lakers has become a major storyline, with Sexton calling it "so natural", a moment that has excited fans of both teams.[edit]

Sexton was raised primarily by his grandmother, Faye Sexton, who worked multiple jobs to support him. He has described her as the most important influence in his life, teaching him hard work and perseverance. He has a younger brother named Jaden. His mother, Gia, struggled to care for him when he was young due to her own youth. Sexton remains close to his grandmother and frequently posts about her on social media.[edit]

Sexton played alongside Darius Garland in the Cavaliers backcourt for four seasons. He was traded for Donovan Mitchell in the 2022 sign-and-trade deal that sent him to Utah. His AAU coach, Jarvis Smith, was a key mentor. In 2025-26, he became a teammate of LeBron James on the Lakers.[edit]

Collin Sexton is known for keeping his personal life very private. There are no confirmed public relationships, marriages, or children reported by credible outlets. He has not been linked to any high-profile partners in the media. As of 2026, Sexton is single and appears to be focused on his basketball career.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Collin Sexton's net worth at $15 million. The bulk of his wealth comes from NBA salary: he has earned over $50 million in career earnings from his rookie contract and the four-year, $72 million deal with the Jazz. His current one-year contract with the Lakers is worth $8 million. Sexton has endorsement deals with Nike and has done local promotional work in Cleveland and Utah, though his endorsement portfolio is modest compared to superstar peers. He owns a home in the Cleveland area, purchased during his rookie season, and likely rents in Los Angeles. He has no publicly known major business ventures or investments.[edit]

Sexton was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019. In college, he won SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 and was selected to the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team. In high school, he earned McDonald's All-American honors and was MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic.[edit]