Center C.J. Giles Signs With Hurricanes

Nov. 13, 2003

Coral Gables, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – Men’s head basketball coach Perry Clark announces the signing of 6-11, 233 pound center Chester “C.J.” Giles (Seattle, Wash.) to a national letter of intent to attend the University of Miami next fall. Giles selected Miami over Kansas and Arizona.

Last season Giles averaged 8.2 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks per game earning third-team All-State honors and helping Rainier Beach High School to a 26-3 record and its second consecutive Class 3A State Championship. Rainier ended the season ranked 16th in the nation by USA Today.

“Signing Chester (Giles) is exactly the right ingredient for our young program,” says Clark. “He is a versatile big man who has the ability to affect a game both offensively and defensively. He is an impact player with a winning attitude who comes from a high school program with a great tradition of success.”

Giles, who has been likened to “a young David Robinson” by Rainier coach Mike Bethea, is ranked 39th overall and 7th at his position by Rivals.com. He is the 12th ranked high school center in the nation by Athlon Sports, is ranked among the Top-100 players in the nation by Lindy’s (No. 66) and The Sporting News (No. 87), and is an honorable mention All-America selection by Street & Smith’s.

“C.J. is a tremendous player who can really control a game with his shot blocking ability,” says Bethea. “Offensively he has a lot of ability and I expect him to show that this season. He can hit the midrange jumper consistently and finishes very well around the basket.”

Giles is the first recruit to sign with the Hurricanes during the early signing period, which runs until Wednesday, November 19.