Don Deal: Lakers sign CJ McCollum to replace LeBron James.
McCollum signed with mid-major Siena his senior year at Fort Myers High, his only Division I offer. He averaged 6.7 points and 1.8 assists per game in 23 appearances as a freshman.
He doubled those numbers as a sophomore after becoming a starter for the Saints. In 2022-23, McCollum put up 15.9 points and 3.9 assists across 25 starts.
The sudden jump in his game drew attention. After entering the transfer portal, he was widely considered not just one of the best combo guards available, but one of the top players across all positions.
After deciding to join Porter Moser’s squad in Norman, it would be perfectly understandable to see McCollum’s numbers plateau, or even slip, after making the move from a .500 MAAC school to a Big 12 powerhouse.
Oklahoma guard Javian McCollum (2) lays up the ball in the first half during an NCAA game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Central Arknasaw Bears at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
But not only has McCollum not skipped a beat as a Sooner, he’s gotten better.
“I mean the journey is always exciting, even when I was at Siena it was exciting to see basketball at that level,” he said. “And now I’m at Oklahoma seeing what it’s like at this level. I’m enjoying the journey and just taking it all in.