UNLV guard EJ Harkless is making a name for himself in the NBA Summer League with his impressive defensive skills.UNLV guard EJ Harkless is making a name for himself in the NBA Summer League with his impressive defensive skills. Harkless, a 6-foot-3 guard, has been a standout for the undefeated Los Angeles Clippers in this year’s Summer League, which is coached by former player and defensive specialist Dahntay Jones. Jones praised Harkless’s defensive ability, saying he “played and guarded a lot of different positions, but his ball pressure was what dictated how we played in the first half.” Harkless said he developed his defensive skills playing basketball with older players as a kid. “You’ve got to defend,” Harkless said. “You’ve got to rebound. You’ve got to do all the little things. You can’t just shoot the ball right away. You’ve got to do the little things to get on the court.” Harkless has also shown flashes of offensive potential in the Summer League, knocking down 38.5 percent of his 3-pointers through three games. “Guys like him who can make shots and defend multiple positions can play in our league for a long time,” Jones said. Harkless is hoping to use the Summer League as a springboard to a spot on an NBA roster. He spent the 2023-2024 season with the Ontario Clippers in the G-League and played for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in the Canadian Elite Basketball League after the G-League season ended. “EJ has a defensive ability that is underrated in our game,” Jones said. “He’s mean because his attitude is what you want from a defender.”
UNLV guard EJ Harkless (55) drives against Air Force guard Carter Murphy (4) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game during the Mountain West tournament on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
LAS VEGAS — EJ Harkless sat in a defensive stance in front of Brooklyn Nets point guard Mark Armstrong. With every step the offensive player took, Harkless mirrored him like a shadow.
The Nets’ Zylan Cheathem set a screen to free his point guard from Harkless’ shackles, but as Cheathem attempted to cut to the basket, Harkless continued to harass him all the way to the basket. Cheathem shoved Harkless away, drawing an offensive foul. The LA Clippers’ bench erupted in applause and cheers.
Harkless is a member of the Clippers 2024 Summer League roster. The 6-foot-3 guard made his presence felt on an undefeated Clippers team in this year’s NBA Summer League. The team is coached by former player and defensive specialist Dahntay Jones.
“I’m trying to implement a style of play that keeps all of those guys going for years to come,” Jones said. “Most of our guys are going to be in a supporting role. If you can play that hard and support that, you’ve got a chance to play in this league.”
Harkless is the definition of a player who plays with grit and tenacity. Originally from San Bernardino, he has carved out a role as a hard-nosed defender. He played under David Kleckner at Etiwanda High School, who built his own playing and coaching career on defense.
Harkless is trying to make his way to the NBA. He played for the Ontario Clippers in the 2023-2024 season, where he appeared in seven games. After the G-League season ended, he signed with the Saskatchewan Rattlers in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, where he averaged 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and 1.8 steals per game.
According to his agent Harrison Gaines of Slash Sports and Entertainment, Harkless is still looking for opportunities to play next season.
“EJ has a defensive ability that is underrated in our game,” Jones said. “He played and guarded a lot of different positions, but his ball pressure was what dictated how we played in the first half.”
Harkless didn’t receive many college offers out of high school. He attended Cal State Northridge, where he led the Big West Conference in steals with 1.7 per game his sophomore season. In 2020, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he averaged 1.9 steals per game as a starter.
For his final season of college basketball in 2022-23, Harkless transferred to UNLV. In 32 games played, he recorded a steal in 28 of them.
“He turns people around, he gets ahead of them and he competes,” Jones said. “He’s mean because his attitude is what you want from a defender.”
Harkless says he got his defensive talent from playing basketball with older players as a kid.
“You’ve got to defend,” Harkless said. “You’ve got to rebound. You’ve got to do all the little things. You can’t just shoot the ball right away. You’ve got to do the little things to get on the court.”
When Harkless attended Etiwanda High School, he said Kleckner held the team accountable from the moment they entered the program. He not only emphasized defense for Harkless and his teammates, but he also focused on their grades, classes and their lives.
“When we get into basketball, it’s the same thing,” Harkless said. “Just trust your brother behind you and always talk the talk and play defense. You can always win with defense. Offense comes and goes, but defense is something you can play every night.”
Throughout his career, Harkless has continued to improve on the offensive end. So far in Summer League, Harkless has knocked down 38.5 percent of his 3-pointers through three games. He has shown flashes of the ability to attack closeouts and make plays for teammates. To stay in the NBA, Harkless will have to prove himself as a shooter and facilitator.
“Guys like him who can make shots and defend multiple positions can play in our league for a long time,” Jones said. Jones added that Harkless needs to improve his decision-making, but noted that he has “done well in Summer League.”
“He’s already taking shots and knocking them down,” Jones said. “Defensively, he’s just a nightmare when he gets to your point guard or your main scorer.”
Two plays after Harkless committed the foul, he picked up the Nets’ Armstrong in the backcourt. He turned Armstrong from sideline to sideline as the ballhandler attempted to pass Harkless. As Armstrong crossed the halfcourt line, Harkless’ arms began to jab at the ball.
As the offensive player attempted to cross the ball from left to right, Harkless stuck his arm and body in between and knocked the ball away. The Clippers bench rose again as Harkless fought for the ball on the floor.
“Just a fighter,” Harkless said of the play, “Going out there and making another positive. That’s the goal, every time.”
