Diving into the Portland Trail Blazers roster: CJ McCollum

The co-star of the Portland Trail Blazers backcourt is up next on this dive into the team’s roster.

When you think of the top 5 shooting guards in the NBA today, who do you think of? My personal list in order has James Harden first, then Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Jimmy Butler, and Devin Booker. So where does the Portland Trail Blazers’ CJ McCollum rank on my list on shooting guards in the NBA today? I personally have him 7th (Bradley Beal 6th), rounding out the second best back court in the NBA with Damian Lillard, behind Steph & Klay.

CJ wasn’t supposed to be the 7th best two-guard and be part of the second-best back court in the league. McCollum stood at a behemoth 5 feet 2 inches tall his freshman year at GlenOak High School, and it wasn’t until a late growth spurt that college scouts became interested.

Late to the game, CJ settled and attended Lehigh University. The kid from Canton, Ohio didn’t cry about his lack of an opportunity. Instead, he made the most of it. In his freshman season, he went on to tally 19.1 points, five rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, as well as 1.3 steals per contest. That would be his last season where he scored under twenty points a game.

His sophomore year, he took his game up a whole other level putting up 21.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.

His junior season, he became an even more complete player, upping his assist totals. He averaged 21.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.

His last season at Lehigh he totaled 23.9 points, 5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, bringing his career stats at Leigh to 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals per contest. Not bad for a late bloomer. NBA scouts seemed to think so too, as the Trailblazers selected him with the 10th pick in the 2013 NBA draft.

The CJ-Dame backcourt was a match made in heaven. Both were from small schools that, thanks to their great play, became legit threats in college basketball. McCollum was even compared to Dame in the draft process as a similar player.

Since, they’ve became like brothers off the court, a bond that has translated into success on the court. In an interview with Jason Quick, McCollum said:

“After all those years working out together, we have an idea. I know when he’s ready to shoot. He knows when I’m ready to drive.’’

McCollum takes a lot of pressure off of Dame. He has a silky smooth jump shot with a career average of 40.5% from the 3-point line for his career. He isn’t just a spot up shooter though, as he can put the ball on the floor and pull up to rise over an opponent from anywhere, or he can attack the basket to score inside or get to the free throw line.

His ability to score in a variety of ways is the reason he averaged 21.4 points per contest last year. He can run the point and be effective with the ball in his hands and has made strides being an off ball guard.

The thing I respect about CJ is his story. He was considered small his whole career. After getting very few college offers, he still had confidence in himself to be successful by hardwork and determination.

In a Leigh University article, McCollum said:

"“I’ll never forget [my middle school teacher] telling me the chances of making it as a professional athlete were very slim. She gave me the percentages. She gave me the breakdown. And I used to say to her…one day you’re going to be begging me to come back and speak to the kids. Now we fast forward, and I talk to [the kids].”"

No doubt, he’s come a long way.

Christian James McCollum teaches us that no matter what happens, or no matter what is said about you, that if you believe in yourself and work hard, that you can be successful, that your dreams can come true.