CJ McCollum mustered up the best New Orleans accent he could find right before jogging onto the Smoothie King Center court Saturday night.

“What’s happenin’ baby?” McCollum said, pronouncing “baby” like only someone from this city can.

McCollum was back in the building for the first time in 18 months.

The last time he played a game here  was way back in March of 2025 as a starting guard for the New Orleans Pelican.

He was traded to the Washington Wizards that summer in a deal that brought Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to the Pelicans. In January, McCollum was traded from the Wizards to the Hawks. Because of how the schedule worked out, he never got a chance to play the Pelicans at all last season. So his return to New Orleans was a long time coming, one he appreciated despite the Pelicans routing his Hawks 121-99.

“It would have been better if we came away with a win, but it’s great to be here and see so many familiar faces,” McCollum said. “The city was really great to my family and I. We love it here and enjoyed our time here. A lot of people (here) had a lasting impact on our life.”

McCollum spent just 3 ½ seasons with the Pelicans. But in that short amount of time, he was able to climb to eighth on the franchise’s all-time leading scoring list and sixth on the assists list. He’s second behind only Trey Murphy in made 3-pointers. But his productivity reached beyond the basketball court. He also made sure to give back to the community. In doing so, he won the hearts of the fanbase, evident by the loud cheers he received when the starting lineups were announced. Those cheers tell you all you need to know about McCollum’s time in New Orleans. Pelicans’ fans tend to either love or hate their former players. Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon still fall in the latter category and still get booed at the Smoothie King Center. McCollum, however, is in that love category with guys like Jrue Holiday, Jonas Valanciunas and Jose Alvarado.

The Pelicans played a tribute video for McCollum during the first quarter. He didn’t get to watch it and was unable to acknowledge the cheers he heard because he was busy listening to Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder during the timeout.

“We were getting our butts whooped,” said McCollum, who finished with 14 points and a pair of assists.

Pelicans’ coach Jamahl Mosley has never coached McCollum, but he’s been around the league long enough to know all about him.

“He’s always done such a great job of being just the ultimate professional,” Mosley said. “How he conducts himself. How he takes care of those around him. His teammates. There is the other side on the court. The ultimate shot maker and shot creator. … He’s just been overall the ultimate professional, the ultimate teammate and a great representative of this league.”

Atlanta coach Quin Snyder has coached McCollum since January when the Hawks made the trade with the Wizards.  

“He’s been a steady force with our team,” Snyder said. “His leadership. HIs ability to create  for himself and others. I’m asking him to focus on other guys as much as himself.”

McCollum has never hesitated to help others. After Saturday’s game, he met with college students in CJ’s Press Pass, a mentorship program he has with aspiring journalists. Why is that important to him?

 “Where I come from, it’s a privilege to be able to have an education and it’s a privilege to have certain experiences,” McCollum said. “We’re all not fortunate enough to always have access. What we try to do as a family is provide access and resources and unique opportunities that allow them to grow. We allow them to have futures outside of what they see around them.”  

His mentorship goes far beyond college students.  He’s in his 14th season, so he’s a seasoned veteran who knows the ins and outs of surviving in the NBA. During his time in New Orleans, he took younger players like Zion Williamson under his wing.

“He was a really great vet for me,” Williamson said. “He talked about what it looks like to be a pro. He would always hold me to that standard. It was definitely good to see my brother (tonight).”

McCollum still keeps in touch with his former Pelicans’ teammates. He’s seen the strides they have made since he left.

“It’s good to see them still progressing and still having that joy,” McCollum said. “But a different level of maturity for sure compared to four or five years ago. They all have continued to mature and continued to understand how to be professional and take care of their bodies and the little stuff. I tried to impart as much wisdom as I could and show them as much as I could as far as how I do the thing. I appreciate the times we had.”

He appreciates it so much that he came back to New Orleans in February for Mardi Gras. And he plans to visit New Orleans again next summer.  

“It’s just a great place,” McCollum said. “Great culture. Good food. Good people.”

And for 3 ½ years, McCollum was one of those good people.

On Saturday night, New Orleans got a chance to show their appreciation.