Sandwiched inbetween mandatory media obligations and competing in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge and Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum sat on a discussion panel at the OVO Summit during All-Star Weekend in Toronto. In conjunction with rapper Drake's OVO Fest and NBA Cares, the OVO Summit provided an educational platform for aspiring young people to connect with industry leaders and professionals (think TED Talks, but on a smaller scale).
McCollum, the odds-on favorite for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, spoke to students about channeling motivation, time management, reputation awareness and defying the odds, as transcribed by Green Label.
On the juxtoposition of excelling at a small college:
On the NBA scouting process:
On the long-term approach to signing endorsements and getting involved off the court:
You can read the full Q & A, written by Gregston Hurdle, here.