Call it a third job for CJ McCollum.
The New Orleans Pelicans star guard and president of the NBA Players Association is joining ESPN as an NBA analyst, the network announced Monday.
ESPN said McCollum will debut Thursday by appearing on “NBA Finals: Celebrating 75,” an alternate broadcast around Game 1 of the NBA Finals focusing on the NBA’s 75th anniversary.
McCollum, 30, was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Pelicans in February after playing eight-plus seasons in Rip City. He has a journalism degree from Lehigh University.
“It is my honor to be joining the ESPN family in this new role and I am excited to bring what I feel is my unique perspective, based on my vast knowledge of the game that I’ve gained during my nine years as a player in the NBA,” McCollum said in a statement. “To have an opportunity to put my journalism background to use on the largest stage with the many talented professionals at ESPN is a dream come true.”
McCollum will start a new podcast that will be available throughout the year, ESPN said, and he will offer insights regularly on such studio shows as “NBA Countdown,” “NBA Today,” “SportsCenter,” “Get Up” and “First Take.” McCollum also will be a game analyst during ESPN’s coverage of NBA Summer League.