CJ McCollum is an American basketball player. He started his professional career with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he was selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. McCollum became a full-time starter in his third season and after nine years with the Blazers, was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022. McCollum's talent was recognised when he was named NBA Most Improved Player in the 2015-16 season. He was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association in 2021. Prior to his NBA success, McCollum played college basketball for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks men's basketball team, where he was named Patriot League Player of the Year in 2010 and 2012.