Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard C.J. McCollum is still out after undergoing a non-operative ultrasound procedure to repair a bone in his left foot that he broke during practice on Oct. 5.
The rookie broke the same foot earlier this year at the peak of his college career, during which he led the country in scoring (25.7 points) while a member of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. The 6-foot-4-inch guard was the 10th overall pick in the 2013 draft by the Blazers. His estimated recovery time is six weeks.
In a news release, the Blazers said that the procedure was “designed to stimulate bone growth.” The operation was done in North Carolina by Dr. Robert Anderson of the Ortho Carolina Foot and Ankle Institute. Anderson has experience treating basketball players with ankle and foot problems, working in the past with Golden State point guard Stephen Curry and Charlotte Bobcats center Brendan Haywood.
Although McCollum is unable to play in games at the moment, he remains connected with the team and travels with them when
possible. The rookie recently posted a photo on Instagram of his foot in a cast next to a hot-pink Minnie Mouse backpack. In the post McCollum wrote, “Got my right foot shoes out and my rookie hazing bag. All in due time. Look forward to the return to two shoes.”
The big question is: Once McCollum is healthy, how is he going to pan out for the Blazers? How will he adjust to the NBA? McCollum has the talent, work ethic and versatility that the Blazers need. He can play two positions and is expected to be the backup for Damian Lillard and
Wesley Matthews. It seems like McCollum will transition from college to the NBA well. Before getting hurt, the guard was averaging 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists at the Las Vegas NBA summer league. He also played in numerous pickup games against his teammates during the summer, developing some familiarity.
Only time will tell how well McCollum will do this season, but as far as hopes for him following in the footsteps of his teammate Lillard and pursuing the 2013–14 Rookie of the Year award? It’s going to be a tough battle, seeing as how Philadelphia guard Michael Carter-Williams and Orlando guard Victor Oladipo are both having impressive seasons so far. With a hurt foot and a late start, it may be too late for
McCollum to be thinking of honors like that. He just needs to focus on getting healthy and getting into a Blazers rotation that could surprise some people with the team’s ability to challenge opponents in a tough Western Conference.