CJ McCollum’s wife, Elise Esposito, devoted her time as a dental assistant, initially under her father’s wing, Michael Esposito, a well-known dentist.
McCollum and his team, the New Orleans Pelicans, defeated the Phoenix Suns 124-116 on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
Highlights
- CJ McCollum and his team, the New Orleans Pelicans, secured a 124-116 victory against the Phoenix Suns, in which CJ scored 19 points.
- McCollum tied the knot with Elise Esposito on October 27, 2020, in the Oregon countryside.
- CJ and Elise share two children: a son, Jacobi, and a daughter, Margaux.
CJ scored 19 points, Trey Murphy III added 18 points, and Jarlo Matkovic had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans.
McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans on February 8, 2022, and debuted two days later. He scored 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in a 112-97 loss to the Miami Heat.
On April 13, 2022, during the NBA play-in tournament, McCollum recorded 32 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, leading the Pelicans past the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 and advancing New Orleans to the eight-seed game.
He scored a game-leading 33 points during a 125-116 win over the Detroit Pistons on November 2, 2023.
On January 3, 2025, McCollum tied a career-high 50 points in a 132-120 win over the Washington Wizards.
CJ McCollum And Elise Esposito Tied The Knot During The COVID-19 Pandemic
The New Orleans Pelicans Guard CJ McCollum met Elise at Lehigh University. At the time, CJ rose as a young hoopster while Elise pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science.
One day, while relaxing on a beautiful sailing boat across New York, McCollum proposed to Elise and later shared the news through his social media handle in 2018. He wrote,
“Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” #Bendtheknee #IllbetheMrtoyoueDr,”
CJ McCollum
Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." #Bendtheknee #IllbetheMrtoyoueDr pic.twitter.com/MczsGIcR17
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) September 23, 2018
After dating for several years, McCollum and Elise planned to marry on September 5, 2020, but they had to cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Later, on October 27, 2020, they finally exchanged their vows. CJ also cut the guest list short for safety purposes.
They picked the Oregon countryside as their destination for the wedding. Elise described the venue as,
“The scenery was stunning, and they had exactly enough rooms to accommodate our 20 guests.”
Elise Esposito
CJ wore a handmade three-piece ensemble made from Cacciopoli Italian fabric, including a handmade shirt and matching silk bow tie.
For precautions, every guest was required to take a COVID test 48 hours prior, and even the staff was tested daily to eliminate risk.
McCollum and Elise were blessed with their son Jacobi McCollum 3 on January 10, 2022.
They welcomed their second child, a daughter, Margaux 1, on November 13, 2023. Elise took to her official Instagram handle to announce the news with the caption,
We want to welcome our beautiful daughter Margaux into this world! 11/13/23, 7 lbs 10.1 oz’s & 19 inches long! Our little bundle of joy. My little Princess. Mommas sweet angel baby.
Elise Esposito
Elise Esposito Enrolled At Columbia University College To Pursue A Doctorate
CJ McCollum’s wife, Elise Esposito 33, was born on July 5, 1991, to her father, Michael, and her mother, Kathleen Esposito.
She is a well-educated woman who was a dental assistant for over a decade.
Elise worked closely with her father, Michael, who has been a successful dentist for over 40 years.
In 2016, Elise attended Columbia University College to pursue a doctorate. She earned this prestigious degree in 2020.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she is a D.D.S. candidate and served as a research scholar program at Lehigh Valley Health Network and as a research student at Lehigh University.
Additional Information
- On December 7, 2021, McCollum was diagnosed with a pneumothorax and was ruled out indefinitely. He made his return from the injury, logging 16 points in a 98-88 win over the Orlando Magic.
- He was born to his father, Errick McCollum I, and his mother, Kathy Andrews.
- CJ played high school basketball for the Gilden Eagles at GlenOak High School in his native city of Canton, Ohio.
