Lehigh University Athletics
McCollum enjoys busy stretch with combine, graduation and draft lottery
5/21/2013 10:41:07 AM | Men's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Former Lehigh standout C.J. McCollum is in the midst of a busy stretch with the NBA Combine last weekend followed by graduation on Monday and the NBA Draft Lottery Tuesday. McCollum's stock has continued to rise and is predicted by many as a top-10 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He walked at graduation Monday and was one of nearly Lehigh 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students to receive their diplomas. McCollum will then head to the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.
“It's great. We get first class treatment from the NBA and different organizations, so it's fun to finally have this dream become a reality,” said McCollum. “A lot of traveling and working out, but doing stuff like this - interviews and taking pictures - are the things you cherish because it shows you're almost there.”
McCollum began the busy stretch at the NBA Combine where he went through several tests and interviewed with various teams. High praise came out of the combine with several individuals raving at not only his draft status, but also his intangibles. Portland Trail Blazers beat writer tweeted about McCollum that he “has an All-Interview future ahead of him. Presents himself very, very well.” Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweeted: “Lot of teams looking to talk to Lehigh's CJ McCollum. 15 total interviews scheduled. Thunder, Magic, Nuggets and Cavs already talked to him.”
The Canton, Ohio native is predicted by many to be a top 10 pick in next month's draft which is set for Thursday, June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. McCollum was invited, and will attend, the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday.
Monday was a significant day for McCollum and the entire Lehigh class of 2013 as the university held its 145th commencement in Goodman Stadium. McCollum decided to come back to school after an opportunity to go pro after last season, and he went on to earn his degree in Journalism.
“I'm out here for graduation now; it's a lot of fun to see my family and some friends I haven't seen in a while,” said McCollum. “I wasn't able to go on the senior trip, so catching up with them has been great.
“One of my biggest goals coming to Lehigh was to get that degree for not only myself, but also my parents,” he continued. “My brother got his, my cousin, my aunt. I'm glad to be the next guy in the family to make that dream a reality.”
NBA TV was also in town on Monday capturing McCollum's memorable day. A piece on McCollum graduating will air on NBA TV the day following the draft (June 28) as part of the show NBA Rooks. Check back to Lehighsports.com and the Lehigh men's basketball Facebook and Twitter pages for continued updates.
For a complete rundown of McCollum in the media, please see below.
Front-page graduation photo courtesy of Christa Neu/Lehigh University Communications and Public Affairs.
Front-page graduation photo courtesy of Christa Neu/Lehigh University Communications and Public Affairs.
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