By Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
Cleveland High School recently retired the jersey of NBA star and former CHS basketball standout, C.J Elleby. The atmosphere was electric, with around 40-50 attendees, including family members, former teammates from his youth to his NBA days, and well-wishers attending the event.
Born on June 16, 2000, which ironically was Father’s Day that year, Elleby’s journey to greatness began early. His father, Bill Elleby, recalls the prophetic words of a nurse declaring, “Here is your basketball player” as he held the newborn C.J in his arms after he was born.
The basketball legacy of the Elleby family spans three generations, as both his father and his Great Uncle Carl Irvin were basketball standouts. His father was a basketball player for Garfield High School during the mid-80’s, where he scored 280 points in 10 games and was part of two nationally ranked teams that won state championships in 1986 and 1987. CJ’s along with his four siblings also inherited a portion of their natural athletic abilities from their mother, Elizabeth Elleby, was a high school swim star at Hoquiam High School, where she qualified for state as a freshman.
His father reflects on how his son showed his natural talent as a youth when it came to sports. “I gave CJ a basketball when he was three or four years old and he ended up making a 10-foot shot through the hoop without me even showing him anything,” said Elleby.
CJ’s athletic prowess in sports extended beyond basketball, excelling in swimming, soccer, baseball, and football during his youth. His early achievements were so remarkable that a rule, later known as the “CJ Elleby rule,” had to be established in 3rd and 4th grade, capping his scoring at 16 points to allow his teammates to participate more actively, as he was averaging 30 per points per game at the time.
Playing under his father and later under Jerry Petty during his youth, C.J competed against future NBA star Kevin Porter Jr. and highly recruited D1 player P.J Fuller. The trio formed a close friendship and played together in local Seattle AAU programs during high school.
CJ’s high school basketball career at Cleveland began with a bang, leading the team to their first state tournament in several years as a sophomore. As a sophomore he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game. Going to his junior and senior year, he would average 23 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game, as he would later be named 1st team all-state by the Associated Press. CJ’s versatility in basketball made him one of the most explosive players that the school has seen. A do it all player, CJ would become the all-time leader in scoring and rebounding in Cleveland High School Basketball History.
After completing his high school career, CJ would go on to play college basketball for Washington State University (WSU), where he set the freshman scoring record, surpassing NBA All-Star Klay Thompson, as he scored over 500 points that season and averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds per game. That season he was named to the ALL Pac-12 freshman teams and cementing himself as one of the best college guards in the nation.
As a sophomore, CJ averaged 19 points and 8 rebounds per game, while leading his team to an NCAA tournament win over Colorado, scoring 34 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the game.
Among other accolades during his tenure as WSU, CJ was the third fastest player in WSU history to get 1000 points, and was named Pac-12 player of the year by the coaches.
In 2020, C.J was drafted #46 in the 2nd round by the Portland Trailblazers at the age of 19, starting over 30 games in his second year.
Elleby has also played overseas in the Israel super league along with NBA G league, including locations at Minnesota, Utah, and Charlotte. But above all, CJ’s personality, and his character goes a long way beyond his skill set. Known for being very humble, CJ shies away from the limelight. His high character, such as being disciplined, having good integrity, being a hard worker, lead to him being a great student at Cleveland High School as well WSU, where plans to complete his college degree.
In addition, CJ and his family started the Elleby Foundation to help kids and people during the rough times in the community. They also donate money to local AAU basketball programs and donate money for colleges to Cleveland High School students who are in need. This year, the foundation will help cancer patients along with people with kidney disorders in partnership with Children’s Hospital.
