Collin Sexton Bio
Collin Darnell Sexton is an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Known by the nickname “Young Bull,” he plays the point guard and shooting guard positions and is currently a member of the Chicago Bulls. After a standout single season at the University of Alabama, Sexton was selected eighth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and has since built a reputation as a high-volume scorer and competitive guard.
Across his NBA career, Sexton has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Chicago Bulls, establishing himself as a productive offensive player. His combination of quickness, midrange scoring, and three-point shooting has made him a steady contributor at both the guard spots. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, Sexton has continued to develop his game while moving between franchises.
Early Life and Background
Collin Darnell Sexton was born on January 4, 1999, in Marietta, Georgia, United States. He is the son of Darnell Sexton and Gia Sexton, and he grew up alongside an older brother, Jordan, and an older sister, Giuana. Sexton began playing basketball at the age of three, and the sport quickly became a central part of his upbringing in the greater Atlanta area.
He first 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 win a 2016 Georgia Region 3-6A title and reach the 2016 Georgia Class 6A state championship game, averaging 23 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists during that stretch. His high school performance established him as one of the most promising guards in the country.
Sexton was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 7 overall player and No. 2 point guard in the 2017 high school class by major recruiting outlets. In January 2017, he was selected as a McDonald’s All-American, one of the highest honors for a high school basketball player. On November 10, 2016, he committed to the University of Alabama and signed his national letter of intent the same day.
Path to Basketball
Sexton’s path to professional basketball began with his selection to the 2016 USA Men’s U17 World Championship Team, where he won a gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The international experience provided a strong foundation for his transition to the college level and gave him exposure against top global talent.
He joined the Alabama Crimson Tide for the 2017–18 season under head coach Avery Johnson. Sexton quickly emerged as one of the most exciting freshmen in college basketball, highlighted by a 40-point performance on November 25, 2017, against the University of Minnesota, when he played most of the second half shorthanded. During the SEC tournament, he averaged 26.3 points across three games, including a buzzer-beating win over Texas A&M and 31 points against top-seeded Auburn, earning a place on the All-Tournament Team.
Following Alabama’s exit from the 2018 NCAA Tournament, Sexton declared for the 2018 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, earned Second-Team All-SEC honors, and was placed on the SEC All-Freshman Team, capping a single college season that positioned him as a lottery-level NBA prospect.
Collin Sexton Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Sexton was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the highest Alabama player drafted since Antonio McDyess in 1995. He made his Summer League debut on July 6, 2018, recording 15 points and 7 rebounds, and opened his regular-season career on October 17, 2018, with nine points and three rebounds off the bench against the Toronto Raptors.
His rookie season quickly gained momentum, as he posted a then-season-high 29 points twice, against the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards. On March 8, 2019, Sexton surpassed Kyrie Irving for the most three-pointers made by a Cavaliers rookie and crossed the 1,000-career-point mark. During a stretch from March 8 to 22, 2019, he became the first rookie since Tim Duncan in 1998 to score 23 or more points in seven consecutive games and was later named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Cleveland Cavaliers Breakthrough (2019–2022)
In his second season, Sexton set a new career high with 41 points on March 4, 2020, in a loss to the Boston Celtics, and led the Cavaliers in scoring at 20.8 points per game. He joined LeBron James and Kyrie Irving as the only Cavaliers to average at least 20 points per game before turning 22, and he scored 25 or more points in seven of the final eight games of the campaign.
He continued his scoring ascent during the 2020–21 season, posting a new career high of 42 points on January 20, 2021, in a double-overtime win against the Brooklyn Nets. Sexton led Cleveland in scoring for a second straight year with 24.3 points per game, a career high at the time, and also set a personal best with 4.4 assists per game. The following campaign was cut short when he tore the meniscus in his left knee on November 7, 2021, leading to season-ending surgery, and the Cavaliers extended a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent in the summer of 2022.
Utah Jazz Era (2022–2025)
On September 3, 2022, Sexton was part of a sign-and-trade deal that sent him, along with Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, and draft compensation, to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Donovan Mitchell. He agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract with Utah as part of the agreement, marking his first move as a professional.
He made his Jazz debut on October 19, 2022, recording 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench in a 123–102 win over the Denver Nuggets. Over his three seasons in Utah, Sexton served as a reliable scoring guard and continued to refine his three-point shooting and playmaking.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2025–2026)
On June 29, 2025, Sexton was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, along with a 2030 second-round pick, in exchange for Jusuf Nurkić. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in the Eastern Conference and a chance to play a featured role in Charlotte’s backcourt.
During the 2025–26 NBA season, Sexton appeared in 42 games for the Hornets, including 12 starts, and averaged 14.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His scoring and veteran presence helped stabilize the rotation before his next move.
Chicago Bulls Era (2026–Present)
On February 4, 2026, Sexton was traded to the Chicago Bulls, alongside Ousmane Dieng and three second-round draft picks, in exchange for Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. The deal signaled a new chapter in his career and an opportunity to contribute to a Bulls team looking to reshape its backcourt.
Sexton joined Chicago wearing jersey No. 2 and was expected to play meaningful minutes as a combo guard. His arrival added scoring punch and a track record of three-point shooting to the Bulls’ rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sexton is known for his aggressive, downhill playing style, using quick first steps and strong body control to attack the rim. He is a reliable midrange shooter and has developed into a steady three-point threat, allowing him to score efficiently at all three levels. His craft as a ball-handler and his ability to create his own shot have made him a natural fit for scoring-guard roles alongside a primary playmaker.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Sexton’s signature moments are his 42-point performance against the Brooklyn Nets in January 2021 and his 40-point shorthanded effort at Minnesota in 2017, which announced his arrival on the national stage. He also became the first rookie since Tim Duncan in 1998 to record seven consecutive 23-point games and joined LeBron James and Kyrie Irving as one of only three Cavaliers to average 20 points per game before turning 22.
Collin Sexton Career Wins
Collin Sexton’s career has been defined more by individual scoring achievements and team contributions than by championship victories. His most celebrated team accomplishment came in 2016, when he helped the United States win gold at the FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Spain and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
NBA Career Highlights
While Sexton has not captured an NBA championship, he earned a place on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2019 after a strong first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has posted multiple 40-point games, set career highs of 42 points against the Brooklyn Nets, and led his teams in scoring during the 2019–20 and 2020–21 campaigns.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NBA, Sexton led Pebblebrook High School to a 2016 Georgia Region 3-6A title and a state championship game appearance. He was also named to the SEC All-Tournament Team after averaging 26.3 points across three games in the 2018 SEC tournament, including a game-winning buzzer-beater against Texas A&M.
Collin Sexton Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Sexton was raised in a close-knit household in Mableton, Georgia, by his mother, Gia Sexton, and his father, Darnell Sexton. He grew up alongside an older brother, Jordan Sexton, and an older sister, Giuana, with basketball becoming a family passion from an early age. Sexton started playing the sport at three years old, and that early exposure laid the foundation for his development into a top NBA prospect.
Personal Life
Off the court, Sexton is known by the nickname “Young Bull,” a moniker that reflects his aggressive, charging style of play. He has remained connected to his Georgia roots and family throughout his professional career, crediting his parents and siblings for supporting his basketball journey. Sexton has not publicly disclosed a spouse or children based on the verified information available.
2025 Season Performance
Sexton opened the 2025–26 NBA season with the Charlotte Hornets after being traded from the Utah Jazz in June 2025. He appeared in 42 games for Charlotte, including 12 starts, and posted averages of 14.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while serving as a key veteran presence in the backcourt.
His midseason form drew the attention of contending teams, and on February 4, 2026, he was dealt to the Chicago Bulls as part of a package centered on Coby White and Mike Conley Jr. The trade marked a fresh start in a new system and an opportunity to play a meaningful role on a rebuilding Bulls roster.
Looking ahead, Sexton was expected to bring scoring depth, three-point shooting, and a competitive edge to the Bulls’ guard rotation. With his contract running through the 2025–26 season, his performance in Chicago was set to shape his long-term outlook and influence his standing in the league’s next wave of free-agent decisions.
