PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 18: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter at Moda Center on March 18, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum was elected the president of the National Basketball Players Association.
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul had been the president of the National Basketball Players Association since 2013, but opted against running for a third term. After holding a vote, there is now a new president of the NBPA.
On Saturday, Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum was elected the new president of the NBPA after serving as a vice president of the executive committee since 2018.
Trail Blazers: CJ McCollum elected president of NBPA
“I am grateful for this opportunity to take over as the new president of the NBPA,” said McCollum, via the NBPA’s official website. “Chris has done an incredible job over the last 8 years, strengthening the voice of the players as a whole and using his platform to make sure our membership is taken care of on and off the court. I look forward to stepping into this role and to further growing the game so that future players can continue to learn and benefit from the Union’s work.”
In addition, Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams was elected to replace McCollum as a vice president on the committee. He had been serving the Celtics’ player rep since 2019.
Earlier in the day, Marc Stein reported that Paul was unlikely to run for a third term as president and that McCollum emerged as a potential successor. That turned out to be the case, as the Trail Blazers guard is set to begin his four-year term immediately.
McCollum is coming off a 2020-21 season where he averaged 23.1 points and 4.7 assists per game (both career-highs), while posting a field goal percentage of 45.8 and 3-point percentage of 40.2.