Collin Sexton Bio
Collin Darnell Sexton is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide. In January 2017, Sexton was selected as a McDonald’s All-American. Nicknamed the ‘Young Bull’, he was selected with the 8th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. After spending his first four seasons with the team, he was traded to the Utah Jazz via sign-and-trade in the 2022 offseason.
Early Life and Background
Collin Sexton was born on January 4, 1999, in Marietta, Georgia. He is the son of Darnell and Gia Sexton and has an older brother, Jordan, and an older sister, Giuana. Collin began playing basketball at the age of three, which laid the foundation for his future career. He attended Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, before transferring to Pebblebrook High School in Mableton, Georgia, prior to his junior year. At Pebblebrook, he helped the Falcons secure a Georgia Region 3-6A title and reach the Georgia Class 6A state championship game, averaging 23 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists during his junior season. Sexton was rated as a five-star recruit and was considered one of the best players in the 2017 recruiting class by various scouting services. He committed to the University of Alabama on November 10, 2016, signing his letter of intent on the same day.
Path to Basketball
Collin Sexton attended the University of Alabama, where he played under coach Avery Johnson. His college career was marked by a standout performance on November 25, 2017, when he scored 40 points against the University of Minnesota while playing shorthanded. During the SEC tournament, he scored 27 points against Texas A&M, including a game-winning buzzer-beater, and averaged 26.3 points per game over three games. Following Alabama’s exit from the 2018 NCAA tournament, Sexton declared for the NBA draft, where he was projected to be a first-round selection.
Collin Sexton Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Collin Sexton was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He made his NBA debut on October 17, 2018, scoring nine points and grabbing three rebounds in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. He quickly made a name for himself, scoring a season-high 29 points against the Houston Rockets on November 24, 2018. During his rookie season, he became the first rookie in Cavaliers history to score at least 23 points in seven consecutive games. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019.
Breakthrough (2020–2021)
In the 2020–21 season, Collin Sexton had a career year, averaging 24.3 points per game and leading the Cavaliers in scoring for the second consecutive year. He set a new career high of 42 points in a double-overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets on January 20, 2021. Sexton’s ability to score and facilitate made him a key player for the Cavaliers, and he joined an elite group of players who averaged at least 20 points per game before turning 22 years old.
Notable Works and Milestones
Collin Sexton’s signature achievements include being named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and winning the SEC Freshman of the Year award. His performances have established him as a rising star in the NBA.
Collin Sexton Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Collin Sexton has received several nominations and accolades, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019.
Collin Sexton Awards Won
Collin Sexton has won multiple awards, including the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 and the FIBA Under-17 World Cup MVP in 2016. He was also recognized as a McDonald’s All-American in 2017.
Collin Sexton Family
Collin Sexton was raised in a supportive family environment in Marietta, Georgia. His parents, Darnell and Gia Sexton, played a significant role in his development as a basketball player. He has an older brother, Jordan, and an older sister, Giuana.
Personal Life
Collin Sexton maintains a relatively private personal life. He is focused on his basketball career and has not publicly disclosed details about his relationships or personal endeavors outside of basketball.
