CJ McCollum is participating in the 3-point shootout because his girlfriend has a test

Forgoing a vacation on behalf of someone else’s obligations is common enough, but rarely do we consider it with regard to professional athletes. Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum is about to experience this annoyance, but he is making the most of the situation.

On Saturday, McCollum became the first player to confirm that he would participate in this year’s 3-point shootout at All-Star Weekend. The announcement should not have come as a shock to anyone, as McCollum participated in the contest last year, albeit as a late replacement for the injured Chris Bosh, and is ninth in the league in three-point shooting percentage (.422). This year, he is plenty deserving of his own place.

For McCollum, however, his participation is somewhat begrudging. A notable All-Star snub along with his Blazers teammate Damian Lillard, the shooting guard had planned to skip the weekend’s festivities to instead go on vacation, a common retreat for non-participants. His girlfriend, however, had other plans.

“I wanted to go on vacation,” McCollum told ESPN. “If I’m not going to play in the game, I would rather be on vacation. But I can’t be on vacation since my girl’s got a test. So I figured I could go for 48 hours and get out there and still get some rest and relaxation.”

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Indeed, McCollum is electing not to go on vacation alone – because where the fun be in that? – and will instead take a journey out beyond the three-point line, accompanied by a few racks, some rebounding lackeys and five money balls. The contest will be held on Feb. 18 in New Orleans.