Portland rookie C.J. McCollum cleared for full practice
Portland Trail Blazers’ rookie guard C.J. McCollum has been cleared for full practice, including 5-on-5 drills, according to a report from Joe Freeman at the Oregonian.
CJ McCollum was cleared to participate in his first full practice today with #Blazers ... it included 5x5 work.
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) December 20, 2013
McCollum broke a bone in his foot in the preseason and was recently cleared for 3-on-3 drills. The 10th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft has experienced no setbacks and/or pain in his foot in recent workouts, but a timetable for a return still has not been set.
McCollum said he felt good and experienced no pain/setback during workout. Still no timeline for his return to play in a game.
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) December 20, 2013
Portland has undoubtedly been the surprise of the NBA this season. At 22-5, the Trail Blazers are tied for 1st in the Western Conference – and for overall league-wide best record — with the Oklahoma City Thunder (21-4).
McCollum –22 years old out of Lehigh University – figures to provide a boost to an already bolstered bench. Portland’s well documented bench woes last season have been curbed by the likes of Mo Williams, Dorell Wright, Thomas Robinson and Co., and the addition of McCollum seemingly will provide even more depth when he is able to return.
Much like last season’s Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard, McCollum comes in out of a smaller college where he averaged big-time points (21.3 ppg for his career). It appears Blazers’ fans will see what they have in McCollum soon enough.