CJ McCollum is an American professional basketball player who played college basketball for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks and was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2013 NBA Draft. He served as the President of the National Basketball Association from 2021 to 2025. McCollum was named the Patriot League Player of the Year in 2010 and 2012.
From humble beginnings to becoming an NBA star, his journey is an inspiring story of perseverance, talent, and impact. He is also a multifaceted personality with a deep interest in journalism and business, reflecting his commitment to personal growth and community impact.
CJ McCollum Biography
| Full Name | Christian James McCollum |
| Nickname | CJ McCollum |
| Profession | Professional basketball player |
| Date of Birth | 19 September 1991 |
| Age | 34 years old (as of April 2026) |
| Birth Place | Canton, Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (African-American) |
| Religion | Catholic |
| @2jmccollum |
Early Life
CJ McCollum was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, and his early life was marked by a determination to overcome physical limitations. In high school, he stood up just 5 feet 2 inches, but his athleticism and skill earned him a spot on the varsity team. Despite his high school success, he was not heavily recruited by major college basketball programs.
He attended GlenOak High School in Canton, Ohio, and finished his high school career as the top scorer in the history of GlenOak. He was named Ohio Player of the Year for the 2008-09 season. McCullum attended Leigh University, where he majored in Journalism.
CJ McCollum Relationships And More
In 2020, CJ McCollum married his long-time girlfriend, Elise Esposito, who is a doctor of dental surgery. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, Jacobi, in January 2022.
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Girlfriend | Elise Esposito |
| Spouse/Wife | Elise Esposto (m. 2020) |
| Children | Son – Jacobi (b. 2022) Daughter – N/A |
CJ McCollum Family
CJ McCollum was married to his parents, Errick and Kathy McCollum. His parents emphasized the importance of academics and instilled in their children a strong sense of discipline. He shares a close bond with his older brother, Errick McCollum II, who also pursued a professional basketball career overseas.
| Father’s Name | Errick McCollum |
| Mother’s Name | Kathy McCollum |
| Brother’s Name | Errick McCollum II |
| Sister’s Name | None |
Career
CJ McCollum was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 10th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He made his NBA debut on January 8, 2014, against the Orlando Magic, and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award for the 2015–16 season. In July 2016, he signed a four-year contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers.
On January 31, 2018, while playing against the Chicago Bulls, he set a career high by scoring 50 points. In January 2026, McCollum—along with Corey Kispert—was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Trae Young.
CJ McCollum Podcast and Talk Show
McCollum has always had a deep interest in journalism, and alongside his NBA career, he co-hosts a podcast titled “Pull Up with CJ McCollum” with Jordan Schultz. In addition to the podcast, he is also part of a talk show series called “ReMaking America”; this show airs on “The PlayersTV,” a media network owned by athletes.
CJ McCollum Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 191 cm In meters – 1.91 m In feet & inches – 6’3” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 86 kg In pounds – 190 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
CJ McCollum Net Worth
American professional basketball player CJ McCollum’s estimated net worth is $75 million as of April 2026. His earnings are derived from NBA contracts, endorsements, and other ventures. In 2024, he signed a two-year, $63.99 million contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, with an average annual salary of $32 million.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $75 million (as of April 2026) |
| Annual Income (Approx) | Update soon |
| Salary (Approx) | $16.7 million (for 2025-26 season) |
| Contract (2-year, 2025-26) | $63.99 million (with New Orleans Pelicans) |
| Income sources | NBA Contract, endorsement, and other ventures. |
Some Interesting Facts About CJ McCollum
- CJ McCollum was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, to Errick and Kathy McCollum.
- He played high school basketball for the Golden Eagles at GlenOak High School.
- As a freshman he was considered undersized, standing at only 5 ft 2 inches.
- In his very first game as a junior, he came away with 54 points to set both school and Stark County records.
- He was named Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year for his final campaign, the 2008-09 season.
- He played at the private research school Leigh University for four seasons.
- McCollum led the Mountain Hawks to the 2010 NCAA tournament, where he put up 26 points.
- As a sophomore in 2010-11, He increased his average to 21.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per outing.
- In his first season with the Trailblazers, he was the backup shooting guard behind Wesley Matthews.
- He has a brother named Errick McCollum II, who also played professional basketball.
- He won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2016 after averaging over 20 points per game on the season.
- CJ McCollum married his girlfriend, Elise Esposito, in 2020, and they had a son named Jacobi.
- He majored in Journalism at Lehigh University and remains an avid writer.
- Before becoming teammates, CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard became friends through Twitter.
FAQ:
How old is CJ McCollum?
As of April 2026, CJ McCollum is 34 years old.
Who is CJ McCollum’s wife?
CJ McCollum is married to his girlfriend, Elise Espostito, since 2020.
What is CJ McCollum’s net worth?
As of April 2026, CJ McCollum’s net worth is around $75 million.
Related Post
