Mar 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) works around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Wizards Guard Makes Top Players List

Originally posted on Washington Wizards on SI
By Tyrone Montgomery | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 7:00 AM ET

We live in a time where everyone is busy working hard at their craft every day. Everyone has many different talents, but it often feels like everyone ends up working for the same things in the end. We want to be the best. We want recognition for our hard work. This can wear you out, but receiving recognition for where you stand may be one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum may feel a bit of satisfaction knowing with where he stands today in the NBA.

https://t.co/2EtjT5GLsG’s top 15 SGs in the NBA:

1. Anthony Edwards
2. Donovan Mitchell
3. Jalen Williams
4. Jaylen Brown
5. Devin Booker
6. Tyler Herro
7. Amen Thompson
8. Josh Hart
9. Austin Reaves
10. Zach LaVine
11. Desmond Bane
12. Coby White
13. Dyson Daniels
14.… pic.twitter.com/0V3OMRe9OT
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 14, 2025

McCollum has been around in the NBA for quite some time now. At the age of 33, he is entering his 13th season in the NBA. He has a lot of basketball miles on his body as he played four seasons in college at Lehigh University. He is a player who has worked hard to be where he is at today. His journey to the NBA has not been easy for him, although he makes it look easy now. He played in the NBA D (Developmental) League for a period of time, which is now called the NBA G (Gatorade) League. His hard work has earned him the respect of being listed as a top-15 shooting guard in the entire league.

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

As we age, we may not have the same physical abilities we used to. That has been the case for McCollum. The Wizards are still happy to have him on their team, but he is just a shell of his former self despite still putting up solid numbers.

Players ranked above McCollum include Anthony Edwards, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Williams, Jaylen Brown, Devin Booker, Tyler Herro, Amen Thompson, Josh Hart, Austin Reaves, Zach LaVine, Desmond Banes, Colby White, Dyson Daniels and Jalen Green. Despite being ranked as the 15th-best two-guard in the league, you can make the argument that he is still better than a few of them ahead of him. The Wizards will have big plans for McCollum this upcoming season, which may cause him to rise in that list.

This article first appeared on Washington Wizards on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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