A Rising Star

C.J. McCollum ’13 is a fast-rising star in the NBA—both on the court and off.

The Portland Trail Blazers guard, in his fourth season with the team, stands out as one of the league’s top scorers. In January 2017, he set a career high, scoring 43 points in a 95-89 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Off the court, the journalism major is promoting education, literacy and career opportunities among Portland youth. He collaborated with the Blazers Boys & Girls Club in Portland, Oregon, to open the C.J. McCollum Dream Center, an “innovative learning room” filled with 12 computers, 200 books, art and other learning tools. His efforts, which include a speaker series and exploration clubs, garnered an NBA Cares Community Assist Award. McCollum plans to open two more Dream Centers this year.

“I want my legacy to be more than basketball,” McCollum told journalists at the center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony in November 2016.

In addition, McCollum has worked with the Portland public schools, mentoring high schoolers interested in journalism.