Hawks Coach Praises Canton Native CJ McCollum's Impact

Quin Snyder credits McCollum for team's turnaround since January trade

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:24am

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Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder praised the impact that Canton native CJ McCollum has made on the team since being acquired in a trade in January. Snyder credited McCollum with helping to turn the Hawks' season around and leading the team to a playoff push.

Why it matters

CJ McCollum is a hometown hero from Canton, Ohio who has found success in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks after being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this year. His strong play has helped the Hawks climb back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.

The details

Since joining the Hawks in January, CJ McCollum has averaged 21.3 points, 4.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. His scoring and playmaking have provided a major boost to the Hawks' offense and helped the team recover from a slow start to the season.

  • CJ McCollum was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in January 2026.

The players

Quin Snyder

The head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

CJ McCollum

A Canton, Ohio native who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in January 2026 and has helped turn the team's season around.

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What they’re saying

“CJ has been a huge part of our turnaround since the trade. His scoring, playmaking, and leadership have been invaluable.”

— Quin Snyder, Head Coach, Atlanta Hawks

The takeaway

CJ McCollum's successful transition to the Atlanta Hawks has been a feel-good story for the team and its fans, as the Canton native has helped propel the Hawks back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.