Clippers Guard Harkless Signs with the Saskatchewan Rattlers
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that the club signed 6-foot-3 California-native Elijah Harkless for the 2024 season. The American guard made his professional debut with the Ontario Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers affiliate) during the 2023-24 NBA G League season under the leadership of Saskatchewan Rattlers head coach Larry Abney.
“We are really excited about signing an emerging talent like EJ,” said General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Barry Rawlyk. “He has just begun to scratch the surface of what he can do as a professional basketball player. The CEBL is seen as a league where potential future NBA players emerge, and with the high-ceiling EJ has, he is definitely in that category.”
Harkless made his professional debut with the Ontario Clippers after being selected 23rd overall in the 2023 NBA G League Draft. During his rookie season, he played 20 games while averaging 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 22.6 minutes and shooting 47.5% from the field. Harkless set professional career game-highs of 25 points (Jan. 29), eight rebounds (twice), 11 assists (twice), and three steals (Mar. 7). He ranked third on the roster for three-point shooting with 26 made shots while shooting 42.6 from behind the arc. Harkless will make his international debut with Saskatchewan Rattlers this May.
“I am excited for the opportunity to play in a new country, expand my game, and help the Rattlers win a championship,” said Harkless.
Prior to his professional career, Harkless attended Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. As a senior, he led the team to a 30-4 record with a third-place finish in the CIF Southern Section Open Division Tournament. Harkless was named to the All-Baseline First Team and Sun-Daily Bulletin All-Area Team.
The California-native made his NCAA debut with the Cal State Northridge Matadors where he played 51 games over two seasons averaging 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 23.6 minutes with 25 appearances in the starting line-up. As a sophomore, he became the first CSUN player to record a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) on January 4, and the first player since 2005 to secure 54 steals in a single-season.
As a junior, he transferred to play with the Oklahoma University Sooners where he started 40 of the 49 games played over two seasons averaging 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 28.8 minutes. As a junior, the Sooners won the 2021 Big 12 Tournament which led them to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament as an eighth seed in the West region. Harkless appeared as a starter in both games during the tournament – registering a double-double in the first round (16 points and 10 rebounds) to advance the Sooners into the second round. As a senior with Oklahoma he was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and a Myrtle Beach Invitational Honorable Mention.
For his final NCAA season, Harkless transferred to UNLV where he started in all 32 games averaging a career-high 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 31.0 minutes. He led his team in total points (611), total rebounds (163), total assists (108), total minutes (991), and total games (32). During his final season, he was recognized as All-Mountain West Conference Second Team, USBWA All-District Team, and NABC All-District (17) Second Team.
Elijah Harkless will reunite with his Clippers coach in Saskatchewan this May while joining the newly assembled roster consisting of
Emmanuel Bandoumel,
Cody John,
Maurice Calloo,
Adong Makuoi, and 2023 Rattlers Defensive Player of the Year -
Anthony Tsegakele. The Rattlers added three familiar faces concluding the
2024 CEBL Draft with Alexander Dewar, Isaac Simon, and Elias Ralph with the third-overall pick. The franchise will continue to unveil the 2024 roster leading up to their Training Camp in mid-May.
The full 2024 Rattlers schedule has been released, which features a full 20-game slate with one potential home playoff game and Championship Weekend (CW24) happening in Montréal, QC from August 9-11, 2024.
Individual game tickets range from $20 in the Fang Zone section to $95 for seating in courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Flex Ticket Bundles and Group tickets can be purchased to access bulk discounts. Season tickets range from $175 in the Fang Zone to $850 for courtside row 2 (All row 1 options are sold out). Premium seat options are available including VIP tables, Luxury Suites, and the Rattlers Courtside Lounge. All ticket options can also be purchased through the
Rattlers Front Office (306) 244-2181,
Saskatchewan Rattlers website, or via
Ticketmaster. Current season ticket members can manage their seats by using
Account Manager. For more seating options, and partnership opportunities; fans can contact an
account executive or
Ivan Brown (Director of Partnerships).
About the Saskatchewan Rattlers
The Saskatchewan Rattlers are Saskatchewan’s professional basketball team, one of the six
original teams in the CEBL – the Rattlers won the 2019 inaugural season championship. Playing out of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – the Rattlers offer an entertainment-focused environment surrounded by some of the world’s top professional athletes. The Rattlers are a community-first organization and take pride in their ability to bring communities together while making sport more accessible to the province.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.
For more information on the Saskatchewan Rattlers professional basketball team - visit
therattlers.ca
