The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Oklahoma transfer eager to get started at Tech
Guard joins influx of newcomers after 1 year with Sooners.
Javian McCollum has played a lot of college basketball, been a part of a lot of big games and orchestrated his share of big moments.
He’s confident those experiences could help lift Georgia Tech to greater heights during the 2024-25 season.
“The Big 12 is a great conference to play in. Every night, you’re going to have a good game,” McCollum told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Just coming from that conference to the ACC, I think it’ll help me a lot.”
McCollum, a 6-foot-2, 160pound guard, announced in mid-April his intention to transfer to Georgia Tech. Tech officially announced McCollum’s addition to the program last week.
After one season at Oklahoma, McCollum put his name in the NCAA’s transfer portal at the start of April and didn’t take long to find a new home.
“Overall I think it was the right decision,” he said about coming to Atlanta. “(Tech coach Damon) Stoudamire is a great coach. When I came on my visit, it felt like home and I felt welcome. Then, obviously, the on-court situation we talked about and where we can go with the team that’s coming in is huge.”
McCollum led Oklahoma in scoring last season at 13.3 points per game, finishing his junior campaign with 400 points in 30 games. He shot 40.4% from the floor, 31.4% from long distance and 94.3% from the line. He also averaged 3.4 assists.
The Sooners went 7-0 last season when McCollum scored at least 18 points. There also was an all-time moment in February when McCollum made a fall-away 3 at the buzzer in overtime for a victory at rival Oklahoma State.
Before becoming an AllBig 12 honorable mention selection, McCollum twice was named The News-Press (Florida) player of the year at Fort Myers High. He began his college career at Siena, playing in 51 games and averaging 11.6 points.
His breakout 2022-23 season for the Saints included a 30-point performance against Manhattan, one of 13 games in which he scored at least 20. McCollum said some of his discussions with the Tech coaching staff during his recruitment involved his freedom on the floor.
“Just being able to do what I do on the court, especially getting my teammates open, score the ball at a high level and just doing whatever I need to do to help my team win,” he said.
Tech went 14-18 last season, but the team has been completely remade with at least four freshmen and Colorado transfer Luke O’Brien joining the roster. McCollum is expected to arrive on campus in June and from there will continue to relish in the newest opportunity basketball has afforded him.
“I’m just enjoying the journey right now, enjoying where basketball is taking me and just soaking in every moment that I can,” he said. “Just coming in with a passion to win and just ready to have the whole city jumping, for real.”