How CJ McCollum ‘worthily carries’ a young Washington team

The game was over, a routine fast break for the Memphis Grizzlies led to a second quarter timeout, but the lesson was just beginning. As it is rebuilding Washington Wizards took some water, CJ McCollum was already deep inside a conversation with Alex Sarareading diagram. It was a small moment, largely invisible to the public, but for Brian Keefe, it was the essence of this team’s most obvious acquisition.

An additional voice of authority in socializing is a feature, not a bug. For Keefe, McCollum’s setting standards is a fundamental elementas critical to the team’s long-term development as any manual.

“(McCollum) puts it up every day,” Keefe told ClutchPoints, “not just in games.

As Keefe passionately points out, McCollum’s greatest value is being a locker room that quietly shapes the habits of a young team.

“That’s how (McCollum) conducts himself, how he conducts himself every day as a professional,” Keefe added. “The way CJ works is just a great example for our team. Obviously, we have a younger roster. It’s all about how you work in this league, how you prepare, take care of your body and how you mentally and physically prepare to play.”

This is not just a cliché of veteran leadership. McCollum, a former president of the National Basketball Association, arrives with a league-wide reputation of admiration. The 34-year-old will let everyone know how much he understands work, responsibility and care from every angle.

“(McCollum) has been doing it for a long time,” Keefe laughed. “We’re really fortunate to have him in our organization. I’m grateful he’s here.”

However, the true measure of a veteran’s impact is seen in the growth of those around him, not in compliments from coaches.

CJ McCollum’s Wizards were wise

For the Wizards, McCollum’s ethos appears to be translating into a broader culture of engagement and accountability. Keefe sees a connective tissue between how a player prepares and how they appear to others, especially in the DC community.

“One thing that’s really impressive about our guys is how much they are in the community and how much they give back,” Keefe noted. “I could talk about it for a long time, talking about individual examples but also team examples of giving back and the things they do. I’m so impressed with the energy they give people and what it gives back to us at the same time. I’ve been really impressed with our guys with that.”

This synergy between professional diligence and shared generosity is the culture that teams strive to build. It sells tickets and generates sponsorship revenue if nothing else. While the wins may be inconsistent this season, establishing this standard is a victory in itself. CJ McCollum doesn’t just carry the scoring load; the Lehigh alum carries the torch, lighting the way forward with the dignified, steady burn of a true professional.

For a young Wizards team that finds its way, that light may be the most valuable asset on the roster.