Harkless joins his NBA G League coach Larry Abney and Clippers teammate Bryson Williams on the Saskatchewan Rattlers, who will open their CEBL season Wednesday night at home against Winnipeg.
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Elijah Harkless is, well, tattoo-less.
The Saskatchewan Rattlers rookie guard lacks the ink-stained skin that characterizes many of his basketball teammates and opponents.
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“Nah, no tattoos,” smiled Harkless, who played for the Los Angeles Clippers’ NBA G League affiliate Ontario Clippers this past winter.
When it comes to the popular tats, Harkless is leaving them to others, like Rattlers teammate and former NBA Toronto Raptor guard Jalen Harris, who was a big free agent signing for Saskatchewan heading into the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League season.
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“He’s got enough for both of us,” agreed Harkless, laughing.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Harkless — who played college basketball for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and University of Oklahoma Sooners before turning pro in 2023 — is set to make his CEBL debut Wednesday night when the Rattlers open their season at home against the Winnipeg Sea Bears.
Game-time is 7:30 p.m. at SaskTel Centre.
Harkless joins his NBA G League coach Larry Abney and Clippers teammate Bryson Williams on the Rattlers, who will play a 20-game schedule between now and August.
“It’s great for us,” he said. “(Abney) has a great philosophy that he’s adopted from the NBA and great coaches like coach (Jerry) Tarkanian, so I just can’t wait to go out there and help him out with some of the stuff we ran with the Clippers that he’s bringing over. I can kind of help him aid the younger guys and get them up to speed, also.”
Harkless averaged 11.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and a steal a game with the NBA G League Clippers.
Harkless, who turned 24 in February, was quick to make an impression on coach Abrey.
“Oh, man, E.J., he’s a very young player but he picked it up quick,” noted Abney, who is also making his CEBL debut this week.
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“He’s very aggressive on both sides of the ball. Very determined. You’ll see. He’s going to make a really, really good impression in the league from a fan’s standpoint — they’re going to love him and his effort — and he’s also going to turn the scoreboard over.”
CALIFORNIA KID LOVING SASKATOON
Harkless grew up with his mom and two sisters in San Bernardino, California, where he played football up until his freshman year.
As for Saskatoon and Saskatchewan? That was the stuff of movie lore until now.
“I’ve only ever heard about it on (the movie) Grown-ups,” he admits.
“Other than that, it’s a great place. Great people. It’s really calm here. I love the demeanour of everything around Saskatoon. It’s laid-back. You can get to where you need to go, communicate with who you need to communicate to. It’s been great. It’s been a pleasure being here.
“I’m just excited to get (the CEBL season) started. We’ve had a great (start to training camp), putting in our stuff that we’re going to execute this year. I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Harkless wasn’t aware of some of the CEBL rules that allow only so many American players in a lineup and on the floor at one time, as well as the exciting Elam-ending which sees every game end on a winning shot.
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“I’m not familiar with the rules — I guess I’ve got to do my due diligence on that,” Harkless said after the first couple of days of training camp last week.
“I know that (former CEBL MVP) Xavier Moon — he’s kind of my ‘vet’ for the Ontario Clippers this year — talked very highly of the league and I was blessed with the opportunity to come out here and play for the Rattlers,” said Harkless, adding that his goal is to “definitely come in here and lead a team to win.”
“I want to keep helping us get better, carrying that over to the NBA.”
It’s a fairly young Rattlers squad, mostly younger players mixed in with a handful of veterans.
“I love it,” Harkless said. “It’s a new challenge, each and every day. You have to come with great energy, so that tests us as people also, so we grow as people just as well as basketball players.”
His strengths on the court?
“Shooting and passing,” replies Harkless, who has deep range with his shots, hitting 42.6 per cent of his three-point attempts in the NBA G League.
Dribbling?
“Handles are pretty good, too,” he said, adding that he can be counted on defensively, as well. “I’m a very, very solid defender.”
And apparently, tattoo-free, too.
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