Washington State inks Seattle forward Charles Elleby to letter of intent

PULLMAN – Ernie Kent has signed his first player from the top high school basketball league in Seattle, inking Cleveland High’s Charles ‘CJ’ Elleby to a National Letter of Intent on Monday.

Elleby, a 6-6, 195-pound forward who’s spent four years in the 3A Metro League, comes off a junior season that saw him average 23 points, 13 rebounds and four assists per game. He’ll join the Cougars in the fall of 2018.

“CJ is an outstanding addition to the Cougar basketball family,” Kent said. “Not only for the accomplishments that he’s had on the floor, but for his accomplishments in the classroom as well.”

Elleby is the first Metro League player and first Seattle Public Schools athlete to join the Cougars under Kent, who’s made a point of bringing in more talent from the west side of the state.

“He will set the bar high,” Kent said. “He comes from an outstanding basketball and athletic family and we’re really looking forward to his entire family being a part of our basketball family.”

Elleby was named to the All-Metro League team for the third straight year as a junior. As a sophomore, he averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds, helping lead Cleveland to an appearance in the 3A state tournament.

Entering his seinor year, Elleby has scored a total of 1,055 career points.

Elleby’s father, Bill, was a prep star at Seattle’s Garfield High – also part of the Metro League – and spent four years as a Pac-12 hooper at Cal. Bill Elleby has long been a staple in the Seattle hoops scene and runs Seattle Basketball Services.