CJ McCollum Still Sporting Thumb Protection During Lehigh Speech

CJ McCollum toughed out a thumb injury to finish out "the toughest season" for the New Orleans Pelicans. It has been almost a month since surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb but McCollum was seen sporting a thumb-protecting wrap while giving the 2023 Lehigh University commencement speech. Still, there are no worries about McCollum's availability to start training camp.

"Our hopes and dreams stuffed in our sleeves," is how McCollum described his and his wife Elise's graduation back in 2013. He was determined to "write his own story" and "meticulously mapped it out" throughout the process to return for a fourth season. The experience of finishing the job, and the degree, would "fortify" McCollum for the challenges ahead.

NBPA President @CJMcCollum returned to his alma mater @LehighU to deliver an inspiring speech for their 155th commencement 🎓

Watch his full speech ⬇️https://t.co/jL6FE1OHo8

(via @LehighU) pic.twitter.com/XFjXvZNVQY
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) May 22, 2023

The 10-year NBA veteran said upon returning to his alma mater to give the 2023 commencement speech that, “It’s an honor for me to be back on Lehigh’s campus and to be asked to give the commencement speech 10 years after my own graduation. Lehigh has had such a profound impact on the trajectory of my life; I honed my skills as a player, developed personally as a man, and met my wife there. I’m excited to send the next class of Mountain Hawks off to start their very bright futures.”

The NBPA President told the school's The Brown and White publication, "I was very surprised. I was thankful, I felt honored. Understanding the severity and the magnitude of this, to be able to address graduating seniors at my alma mater 10 years after I graduated is something I don’t take for granted. I’m thankful and appreciative of the honor and really look forward to getting back on campus and hopefully delivering a speech that this class will remember forever."

McCollum also explained in the pre-speech interview why journalism was his chosen major, why he returned for a senior season despite being a probable lottery pick, and what Lehigh did (and did not) do as far as preparation for life after college.

Fans should not worry about the thumb affecting any preparation this summer. EVP David Griffin addressed those worries during the team's exit interviews. McCollum addressed the bigger picture with one particular high note in his speech. This is just a clip of the wise words from the locker room leader.

Some wise words from @CJMcCollum during his commencement speech at @LehighU 💭 pic.twitter.com/S8eN2BXe3i
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 22, 2023

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