Washington State Cougars basketball loses star CJ Elleby to NBA Draft
Ed Stein
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Washington State Cougars All-Conference basketball star CJ Elleby made it official on Friday. He will remain eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft and won’t return to school this fall.
All it took was an invitation to the NBA scouting combine for Washington State Cougars basketball star CJ Elleby to bolt the program. On Friday, he announced his decision to remain eligible for the NBA Draft. By doing so, Elleby forfeited his final two seasons of college eligibility.
Elleby was far and away WSU’s best player. In 2019–20, his 19.4 points per game led all WSU players and also ranked fourth-best in the Pac-12. Not only did he score, the 6-6 forward contributed in many other ways.
The Seattle native also led the Washington State Cougars in minutes (1,068), rebounds (251), steals (56), blocks (26) and, three-point field goals (74). That’s why Elleby earned All-Conference First-Team honors.
Effects on WSU Basketball
The loss of such an outstanding player is a tough blow to second-year head coach Kyle Smith. Last year, he appeared to turn the ship around. For the first time in ten seasons, the Cougs had a .500 record.
Smith built on last season’s success with a strong recruiting class for the upcoming season. Washington State’s incoming class is currently ranked fourth in the Pac-12 and 32nd in the nation by 24/7 sports. Of the six new players joining the program, two are four-star recruits.
Until this bump in the road, Wazzu was a potential 2021 NCAA tournament team. They still may be one. Smith is a good coach, he will adapt. Additionally, with freshmen players, it’s hard to gauge how they will adapt to competition at the next level. Elleby signed as a three-star recruit out of high school. He turned out to be a fantastic college player. Either one of the four-star freshman Carlos Rosario or Andrej Jakimovski could take over and excel in the spot Elleby vacated.
Not only will Elleby’s production be missed, so will his leadership. It now falls on rising senior Isaac Bonton to lead a young Cougars team in 2021. Last year the point guard had some impressive numbers. He averaged 15.3 points per game, with 4.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds.
No Shoo-in
Elleby becomes the first Washington State Cougars player to receive an NBA Combine invite since sharpshooter Klay Thompson in 2011. Even though Elleby will participate, there is no date for the event.
As of now, the forward is a mid-to-low second-round pick. Elleby is aware of his status. He recently said he has no problem going to the NBA’s developmental G-League to prove himself. That is his most likely path, whether he gets drafted or not.
What do you think of CJ Elleby’s decision to leave the Washington State Cougars basketball program for the NBA? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.