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 in Las Vegas, Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via The Associated Press)
LAS VEGAS — EJ Harkless took a defensive stance in front of Brooklyn Nets point guard Marc Armstrong, and every time an offensive player walked, Harkless mimicked Armstrong like a shadow.
The Nets’ Zaran Cheatham set a screen to free the point guard from Harkless’ clutches, but as Cheatham tried to cut to the basket, Harkless harassed him all the way to the basket. Cheatham shoved Harkless, drawing an offensive foul. The Los Angeles Clippers bench erupted in applause and cheers.
Harkless is a member of the Clippers’ 2024 Summer League class. The 6-foot-3 guard is a fixture on the Clippers’ undefeated NBA Summer League squad this year. The team is coached by former player and defensive specialist Dahntay Jones.
“I’m trying to establish a style of play that will allow my players to thrive for years to come,” Jones said. “Most of my players are going to be support players. If they can play hard and support, they have a chance to play in this league.”
Harkless is the epitome of a player who plays with grit and tenacity. The San Bernardino native has always been a tough defender. He played for David Kloeckner at Etiwanda High School, and Kloeckner built his career as a player and coach on defense.
Harkless is hoping to make it to the NBA, having appeared in seven games for the Ontario Clippers during the 2023-2024 season. Following the G-League season, he signed with the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, where he averaged 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Harkless is looking for an opportunity to play next season, according to his agent, Harrison Gaines, of Slash Sports and Entertainment.
“EJ has defensive skills that are underrated in our game,” Jones said. “He played and defended a variety of positions, but it was his ball pressure that defined how we played in the first half.”
Harkless didn’t receive many college offers out of high school, but instead attended Cal State Northridge and led the Big West Conference in steals during his sophomore season with 1.7 steals per game. In 2020, he transferred to Oklahoma and averaged 1.9 steals per game as a starter.
Harkless committed to UNLV for his final college basketball season in 2022-2023. He recorded 28 steals in 32 games played.
“He gets past guys, he gets forward, he competes,” Jones said. “His temperament is everything you want in a defender, so he’s scary.”
Harkless said he developed his defensive acumen from playing basketball with older players as a kid.
“You have to play defense,” Harkless said. “You have to rebound. You have to do all the little things. You can’t just shoot the ball first. You have to do the little things to get on the floor.”
When Harkless attended Etiwanda High School, Kleckner said he held the team accountable from the moment the student joined the program. Kleckner not only emphasized defense for Harkless and his teammates, but also grades, classwork and life.
“When you start playing basketball, it’s the same thing,” Harkless said. “You’ve got your brothers behind you, you’re always talking to each other, and you’re playing defense. With defense, you win every time. Offense is win or lose, but defense is something you can play every night.”
Harkless has continued to improve offensively throughout his career. He’s shot 38.5% from the 3-point line in three Summer League games so far. He’s shown glimpses of his ability to attack closeouts and make plays for his teammates. To thrive in the NBA, Harkless will need to prove himself as both a shooter and a facilitator.
“Any guy that can shoot the ball and can defend multiple positions is going to play a long time in our league,” Jones said. Jones added that Harkless needs to improve his decision-making but noted he’s “done a good job” in summer league.
“He’s already shooting the ball and making the shots,” Jones said. “Defensively, he’s an absolute nightmare when he gets up against a point guard or a primary scorer.”
Two plays after Harkless drew the foul, he again caught the Nets’ Armstrong in the backcourt. As the ball-handler tried to get past Harkless, Harkless ran Armstrong sideline to sideline. As Armstrong crossed the half-court line, Harkless’ arms began poking at the ball.
As an offensive player attempted a crossover from left to right, Harkless thrust his arm and body between them to knock the ball away, and the Clippers bench rose again as Harkless scrambled for the ball after it fell to the ground.
“Just battling,” Harkless said of his play. “Going out there and making another positive play. That’s the goal every time.”