CJ Giles

verballed to Kansas, May 2004

05/18/04: "Giles mentioned how Danny Manning will be coaching him in Lawrence and how that also played a big part in his final decision." - www.theInsidersHoops.com

05/18/04: "C.J. Giles, the 6-11 center from Rainier Beach who was released earlier from his letter of intent by Miami, is due to make his follow-up choice shortly. Giles also visited Kansas over the weekend, and (Micah) Downs said Giles committed to the Jayhawks on Saturday, but nobody in the Giles camp confirmed that yesterday." - Seattle Times

05/17/04: "He's going to announce his decision tomorrow at five (Pacific). They’re going to do it on KING 5 television. He'll announce either Kansas or Washington." (per his HS coach) The announcement will likely be made Tuesday at approximately 5:50 p.m. (PT) in a segment with the KING 5 sports anchor." - www.theInsidersHoops.com

05/17/04: "Chester Giles said his son will cancel an official visit to Cincinnati, which was scheduled for this weekend." - Kansas City Star (4 to 1)

05/17/04: "Rainier Beach center C.J. Giles and Bothell forward Micah Downs both visited the University of Kansas over the weekend and Downs may commit to the Jayhawks as early as today. Giles' father, Chester, said his son's decision will be announced Wednesday. Yesterday, Chester Giles told a Topeka newspaper, "I think he's leaning more to KU." He also told an Internet site, "It looks like C.J. will be playing for Kansas." But the father told The Times, "I think C.J. should wait and decide and mull it over. He's also interested in the University of Washington." The father said Cincinnati "is still on the table" but Gonzaga isn't." - Seattle Times

05/17/04: "the next significant announcement will take place Wednesday afternoon when one-time Miami signee C.J. Giles, a 6-10 big man from Seattle’s Rainier Beach High makes his decision public." - www.theInsidersHoops.com

05/16/04: "Giles took an official visit to Washington last weekend and it looked like an official visit to Cincinnati might take place. However, after spending the weekend in Lawrence, it looks like Giles is done with the recruiting process." - www.RivalsHoops.com

05/16/04: Dan Hoard from Fox19 reports that CJ Giles will visit Cincinnati's campus next weekend. - Mike Ryan (3 to 4)

05/14/04: "while anything is possible in the final days of Giles recruitment, Kansas is the definite leader in this race. Cincinnati might also be in the running, but according to Bethea, KU is way out in front." - www.theInsidershoops.com

05/14/04: University of Miami basketball coach Perry Clark believed he signed a difference-maker in C.J. Giles in November. "He is a versatile big man who has the ability to affect a game both offensively and defensively," Clark said of Giles, a 6-foot-11, 240-pound high school senior from Seattle's Rainier Beach High who is making an official recruiting visit to Kansas University this weekend.

Giles is at KU -- with top prep juniors Mario Chalmers of Anchorage, Alaska, and Micah Downs of Bothell, Wash. -- because Miami finally released him from his letter of intent more than a month after firing Clark. "C.J. is an impact player with a winning attitude who comes from a high school program with a great tradition of success," Clark added of Giles, who is expected to land at either KU or the University of Washington.

Giles emerged as one of the top big men in the country this past season. He averaged 17.2 points, 12 rebounds and 6.0 blocked shots a game for Rainier Beach, runner-up in the Class 3A state tournament after winning the crown last year. "Giles is a rarity, a center who can run the floor and hit jumpers with the confidence of a guard," wrote Jeannine Befidi of the Seattle Times. "Under the basket, he is an imposing presence for even the most experienced post players."

Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea has referred to Giles as a "young David Robinson," adding, "C.J. is a tremendous player who can really control a game with his shot-blocking ability. Offensively he has a lot of ability. He can hit the midrange jumper consistently and finishes very well around the basket." - Lawrence Journal World

05/12/04: Listed as the 59th best player in his class. - www.theInsidersHoops.com

05/11/04: "Giles leaves Friday for Kansas, his fourth official recruiting visit. It's believed Washington and Kansas are Giles' top choices. Several Kansas chat sites have been active concerning his visit. Jayhawks fans are hopeful Giles signs with Kansas since freshman center David Padgett announced last month he's transferring. Giles' parents -- 7-1 Chester Giles and 5-4 Gayle Goodwin -- are former Kansas basketball players. Giles said last week he plans one more recruiting visit after the Kansas trip, but hasn't announced which school. He took visits to Old Dominion and Miami (Fla.) last fall." - Seattle Post

05/10/04: "After a weekend visit to Washington, Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach C/F C.J. Giles will take one more visit - to Kansas, before making his decision. "My trip to Washington was a lot of fun," Giles told Dawgman.com Monday. "I'll visit Kansas this weekend and then hopefully I can make my decision a couple of days after my visit." Are any other schools still in the running for Giles now that he's been released from Miami? "Cincinnati a little bit, but really it's just Washington and Kansas," C.J. said. "It pretty much comes down to them." - www.theInsidersHoops.com (5 to 3)

05/08/04:"Rainier Beach center C.J. Giles yesterday began an official, 48-hour recruiting visit to the University of Washington, one of three trips the 6-foot-11 senior said he will take in his second recruitment process. Giles said he would visit Kansas next and decide on the third school later.

Giles signed his official release from Miami Thursday, and Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea sent copies of the document to the UW and Kansas yesterday. Giles signed with the Hurricanes in November and then requested a release when the school fired coach Perry Clark. "The recruiting trips are the fun part of the process," Giles said yesterday. "I'm really interested in Washington. I'd like to stay close to home, but my dad really likes Kansas and wants me to go there. I'd have to say I'm still leaning toward Washington."

Phone calls from interested suitors began yesterday morning, with Indiana, Louisiana State, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Gonzaga and Oregon State contacting Rainier Beach athletic director Dan Jurdy. "The frenzy has started," Jurdy said. "A lot of schools are saying they made a big mistake not going after C.J. in the first place." - Seattle Times

05/07/04: "Realdawg.com has confirmed that Chester Giles Jr. is now on campus taking his OFFICIAL visit where, Coach Romar is trying to close on the talented shoot blocker."

05/07/04: "C.J. Giles, a 6-foot-11 forward from Seattle, is expected to visit Lawrence as early as next weekend. Giles originally signed with Miami but was released from his letter of intent Wednesday.

The paperwork allowing other schools to contact Giles was sent to the Kansas basketball offices on Thursday afternoon. Self was expected to speak with Giles and his family by phone on Thursday night, a source said. Shortly after getting his release Wednesday, Giles indicated that Kansas and Washington are at the top of the list of schools which he'll consider. Cincinnati is also a possibility.

Giles' father, Chester, said scheduling a visit to Kansas is his son's top priority. Chester Giles played at Kansas. Although Giles could visit Lawrence as early as this weekend, it is more likely he'll be in town May 14-16, a source said. "The University of Kansas will be our No. 1 option,” Chester Giles told rivals.com Wednesday. “We will probably take trips to Washington and Cincinnati, but Kansas is definitely our first choice." Giles will be eligible to play in the 2005-2006 season. But he can appeal to the national letter-of-intent committee to play immediately in 2004-2005. Several similar appeals have been granted in recent years." - Kansas City Star

05/07/04: "C.J. Giles' dad, Chester, said Thursday he sent his son's University of Miami release papers to Kansas. He's also planning to send the papers to Washington and Cincinnati. Schools can't talk to the 6-foot-10 Seattle Rainier Beach High standout until they receive the release forms." - KUSports.com

05/07/04: "Gonzaga has become a possible new school for Rainier Beach basketball star C.J. Giles, but Kansas and Washington remain the frontrunners. Giles, who was released Monday from his letter of intent by the University of Miami, met with his father and Beach coach Mike Bethea yesterday to discuss possible visits and a timetable.

Giles, who visited Old Dominion and Miami last fall, can take three trips, and two of them will be to UW and Kansas, where his father, Chester, played. Bethea said no timetable for trips has been set, though they will be taken in the next few weeks. Bethea said last night that Chester Giles "mentioned Gonzaga" and "would like to sit down and talk to them." - Seattle Times

05/06/04: "Once his release arrives in the mail, Giles is hoping to contact coaches from KU, Washington and Cincinnati, and perhaps other schools, too. "We've got to wait until we get release papers to set up any visits," Chester Giles Sr. said. "We haven't been able to talk to any schools yet. We have to wait on the release papers, then go from there." Giles now will be eligible to play as a freshman in the 2005-06 season. However, he can appeal for immediately eligibility to the letter of intent committee based in the Southeast Conference offices. Such appeals normally are granted. - Lawrence (KS) Journal World

05/06/04: "New UM coach Frank Haith flew to Seattle and met with Giles' family but was unable to persuade Giles to stay onboard. Giles, who averaged 17.2 points last season and is an outstanding shot-blocker, is interested in Washington, Kansas, Cincinnati and UCLA. His father, Chester Giles Sr., played at Kansas, as did his mother, Gail Goodwin." - Miami Herald

05/06/04: "The University of Miami yesterday released Rainier Beach High School center C.J. Giles from the letter of intent he signed in November, freeing Giles to sign with another school. "After reviewing the circumstances, and speaking with coach (Frank) Haith and the Giles family, we have concluded that it is in our best interests to release Giles from his national letter of intent," Miami athletic director Paul Dee said in a statement.

Giles, who already made formal recruiting visits to Miami and Old Dominion, plans to visit three more schools before deciding where to attend. He hasn't finalized his choices, but confirmed he would meet with University of Washington coach Lorenzo Romar. "I don't really know coach Romar very well, but I want to get to know him," Giles said. "We're cool."

Giles said his priorities in choosing a school are the same as when he chose Miami -- a good conference that gets national attention, a team that will allow him to learn and physically get bigger and stronger without being relied on to do too much, too soon, and a solid business program, the course of study Giles plans to pursue. "I'm relieved," Giles said yesterday. "I spent all afternoon with my dad, talking about which schools would be a good fit for me. I intend to take my time and make the right choice."

Giles' next step is most likely a request to the National Letter of Intent Appeals Committee to restore his eligibility for the 2004-05 season. Fortunately for Giles, recent precedent favors his immediate eligibility. Examples of athletes who signed a letter of intent with a school, and then requested a release after the signing because of a coaching change or change in mind and were declared eligible immediately include Ryan Hollins (St. Louis to UCLA), Kris Humphries (Duke to Minnesota), Andre Iguodala (Arkansas to Arizona), Ashanti Cook (New Mexico to Georgetown), Armando Surratt (Fresno State to Miami) and Kennedy Winston (Cal to Alabama). If the NLIAC denies Giles his immediate eligibility, he must sign a Qualified Release Agreement with Miami to get his official release.

According to the National Letter of Intent Web site, if both Miami and Giles agree to his release and sign the QRA, Giles must forfeit one year of eligibility in all sports to play at the next school he chooses if that school is also a national letter of intent institution. Most Division I colleges are NLI institutions, including every school in the Pac-10.

"We're all happy this situation was finally resolved with Miami," said Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea. "I'm hoping (Giles) will decide where he wants to go in the next month, but we'll be even more careful this time to make sure it's the right fit for him."

Giles, a 6-11 center, committed to Miami before former coach Perry Clark was fired in March. After Clark was fired, Giles asked for his release. It took nearly five weeks for the decision to be made, but now Giles is free to choose another school.

The decision to release Giles was delayed to allow for the hiring of Haith and a chance for Haith to meet Giles and his family in Seattle. Dee also missed six days last month because of a heart condition.

05/05/04: "Yep, my son has been released from his letter of intent,” Chester Giles said. “We just got confirmation about that. We are still a few days away from being able to contact any schools, but once that happens, the University of Kansas will be our No. 1 option. We will probably take trips to Washington and Cincinnati, but Kansas is definitely our first choice." - JayHawkSlant.com (Kansas)

05/05/04: "My dad wants me to go to Cincinnati and play for them", Giles told Realdawg.com, "Kansas is in there too, but my dad would rather I go to Cinci..." Giles will likely take official visits to Washington, Kansas, and Cincinnati at this time." - RealDawg.com (Washington)

05/05/04: Giles was released by the Univ of Miami today from his NLI. - Mike Ryan

05/01/04: "6-11 recruit C.J. Giles, who wants out of the letter of intent he signed with UM in November, Haith said he expects the situation to be resolved next week. Giles' father, Chester Giles, is growing more frustrated by the day. “They granted releases to two of their players [Surratt and Karron Clarke] but they are holding my son hostage, a kid who never stepped foot on their campus and hasn't even been accepted,” Giles said. “It's not fair. This is leaving a bad taste in my mouth.” - Miami Herald

04/30/04: "Seattle's Terrance Williams says he'll visit KU on May 15. His Rainier Beach teammate -- CJ Giles -- wants a release from Miami so he can visit KU, Washington and Arizona." - KUSports.com

04/29/04: "The (Washington) Huskies still could add one more player. They await a scholarship decision from Rainier Beach's 6-11 center C.J. Giles, who asked for his release from Miami after it fired the coach who recruited him. Giles is mulling several options, which include the UW, Kansas and Cincinnati. Coaches are unable to contact Giles until he gets that release, yet he was quoted in P-I (newspaper)and local radio interviews indicating that he was leaning to the UW." - Seattle Post Intelligencer

04/27/04: "With the imminent departure of starting power forward Luol Deng, Duke has contacted Giles’ high school coach about a possible visit once the release is processed." - TheDevilsDen.com (Duke)

04/27/04: "Already regarded as one of the nation's top center prospects, the 6-foot-11 Giles elevated his profile with an impressive showing Saturday at the Derek Anderson Derby Festival Classic all-star game in Louisville, Ky. Giles had 10 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and a steal in 29 minutes against Division-I recruits. "C.J. was pretty dominant out there," said Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea, who was at the tournament as an assistant coach. "There's a lot of people aware of his situation. With the atmosphere of him potentially being released, there isn't much coaches can say, but I keep hearing, 'If something happens with the big guy, let us know.' " - Seattle Post Intelligencer

04/20/04: "At first it was a little uncomfortable," Giles said about his meeting with (new Miami coach Frank) Haith. I was close to Coach (Kurtis) Townsend. He had been recruiting me for two years. After a while it was more comfortable, but I still want out of my letter. It's frustrating because I'm running out of time. I can't talk to any other schools until I'm released." – www.theInsidersHoops.com

03/28/04: "The father of Rainier Beach basketball star C.J. Giles says he will submit paperwork as early as today to have his son released from his letter of intent to play for the University of Miami. "I'm looking out for my son's best interests," said Chester Giles.

The father said he intends to "explore all opportunities" for his son but acknowledged that Washington is a strong possibility. "They did great this year," the father said of the Huskies, whose late-season surge carried them to the NCAA tournament. "I don't know why it wouldn't be." He has heard fans on talk shows saying they hope C.J. winds up wearing Huskies purple and gold. "It's nice to go where you're wanted," he said. Washington has a scholarship available.

On Friday, Miami fired coach Perry Clark, who had visited the Giles Tuesday in Seattle. He was fired after a second straight losing season. "He assured us that his job was intact," Chester Giles said. For Giles to play at another school next year, Miami would have to give him an unconditional release and Giles would have to appeal to the National Letter of Intent Steering Committee.

The committee made such a ruling two years ago in the case of Ryan Hollins, who had signed with Saint Louis, then wanted out when coach Lorenzo Romar went to Washington. C.J. Giles, who was playing in an all-state event in Tennessee over the weekend, is a 6-foot-11 all-state center who averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots for Rainier Beach. The Vikings finished second in the Class 3A state tournament three weeks ago and won the title his junior year. Chester Giles said his son has three available recruiting visits remaining. – Seattle Times


01/13/04: "C.J. Giles, 6-10 SR C Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach, had a monster game Tuesday night in a 52-36 win over Bishop Blanchet. Giles scored a career-high thirty points in the game, connecting on all fifteen of his field goal attempts. Giles, who also had eleven rebounds and three blocks, had his only miss of the night on a free throw. Giles signed with Miami in the fall." - theInsidersHoops.com

12/10/03: C. J. Giles is having fun now, which can only mean bad things for the rest of the Metro League. The 6-foot-11 senior center matched Eastside Catholic's entire team output as top-ranked Rainier Beach rolled to an easy 73-26 Metro League boys basketball victory last night. "I just had fun tonight," said Giles, who made 10 of 11 field goals on the way to a season-high 26 points. "My last two games I wasn't playing as well as I expected. I think I was just feeling too much pressure and wasn't relaxing." Said Beach coach Mike Bethea: "He played well tonight, and it's only a matter of time before he really breaks out." - Seattle Post

09/30/03: “Putting the brakes on a relentless recruiting process, Rainier Beach center Chester Giles yesterday gave an oral commitment to play basketball next season at the University of Miami. Giles, a 6-foot-11, 233-pound senior, averaged 8.2 points and about five blocked shots per game last season for the 3A champion Vikings. "Now I can concentrate on playing for Rainier Beach my senior year," Giles said. "Miami is a smaller school that will begin playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference next season, and I'll get some good looks nationally there."

Giles' first recruiting visit was to Miami and he fell in love with the school and its basketball program almost immediately. He was impressed with the school's business program, as well, and plans to major in business. His other finalists were Arizona and Kansas. The popular guess was that he would choose Kansas, especially after his parents -- 7-foot-1 Chester Giles and 5-4 Gayle Goodwin -- attended and played basketball there. Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea said one Kansas assistant coach likened Giles to "a young David Robinson."

Giles resisted the temptation to stay close to home and play for the University of Washington, especially with close friend and Beach alumnus Nate Robinson -- now the Huskies' starting point guard -- starting almost every conversation with a pitch to come to the UW.

Giles strongly considered USC, where former Beach teammates Rodrick and Lodrick Stewart are enrolled, but ultimately decided to attend a school where he could make his own mark. "It wasn't easy choosing," Giles said. "I've gotten plenty of solid offers. In fact, I had a coach call me (yesterday) asking that I wait a little longer to choose, to sleep on it some more, but I know Miami is a good fit for me."

Bethea said the recruitment of Giles was the most intensive he has been involved with, more so than with Jamal Crawford (who chose Michigan) or the Stewart twins, because Giles kept so many schools in the mix until the end. Bethea estimated at least 50 NCAA Division I programs made strong pitches. Rainier Beach now stands poised to make a run at its third consecutive state title. "Chester can't go wrong with any of the schools he was looking at," Bethea said. "He'll also have a better chance to make an impact quicker at Miami." - Seattle Post


9/30/03: “CJ Giles will made an announcement at 3:30 Pacific time concerning his college of choice. It appears the 6 foot 10 inch Center will select Miami. Giles told Phog.Net late Thursday night that Kansas was his number one school, but sources close to Giles claim there was a bit of mix up on his visit to Lawrence. His uncle, Phillip Heinsburg told Phog.Net - "It was just a misunderstanding." Regardless, Giles did not make his visit to Kansas this past weekend and his trip to Arizona will also be cancelled.” - Phog.net

09/30/03: “Putting the brakes on a relentless recruiting process, Rainier Beach center Chester Giles yesterday gave an oral commitment to play basketball next season at the University of Miami. Giles, a 6-foot-11, 233-pound senior, averaged 8.2 points and about five blocked shots per game last season for the 3A champion Vikings. "Now I can concentrate on playing for Rainier Beach my senior year," Giles said. "Miami is a smaller school that will begin playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference next season, and I'll get some good looks nationally there."

Giles' first recruiting visit was to Miami and he fell in love with the school and its basketball program almost immediately. He was impressed with the school's business program, as well, and plans to major in business. His other finalists were Arizona and Kansas. The popular guess was that he would choose Kansas, especially after his parents -- 7-foot-1 Chester Giles and 5-4 Gayle Goodwin -- attended and played basketball there. Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea said one Kansas assistant coach likened Giles to "a young David Robinson."

Giles resisted the temptation to stay close to home and play for the University of Washington, especially with close friend and Beach alumnus Nate Robinson -- now the Huskies' starting point guard -- starting almost every conversation with a pitch to come to the UW.

Giles strongly considered USC, where former Beach teammates Rodrick and Lodrick Stewart are enrolled, but ultimately decided to attend a school where he could make his own mark. "It wasn't easy choosing," Giles said. "I've gotten plenty of solid offers. In fact, I had a coach call me (yesterday) asking that I wait a little longer to choose, to sleep on it some more, but I know Miami is a good fit for me."

Bethea said the recruitment of Giles was the most intensive he has been involved with, more so than with Jamal Crawford (who chose Michigan) or the Stewart twins, because Giles kept so many schools in the mix until the end. Bethea estimated at least 50 NCAA Division I programs made strong pitches.

Rainier Beach now stands poised to make a run at its third consecutive state title. "Chester can't go wrong with any of the schools he was looking at," Bethea said. "He'll also have a better chance to make an impact quicker at Miami." - Seattle Post


09/30/03: “With his coach on one side and his athletic director on the other, C.J. Giles sat in the Rainier Beach library yesterday and paid brief tribute to the legion of schools that still hoped he would reconsider. Then he placed the orange-and-green cap on his head and made an oral commitment to a university known more for fun and football than for its dominance on the basketball court. "I would like to thank all the college coaches and schools that recruited me," Giles said. "It was a very hard decision for me, but I have decided to go to the University of Miami."

For weeks, people speculated that the 6-foot-11, 233-pound center would pick Kansas. When he announced that he had narrowed his choices to three schools - Kansas, Miami and Arizona - he seemed a shoo-in to become a Jayhawk because both of his parents played basketball there. "They were supportive of me," Giles said of his parents' reaction to the news. "It was my decision, so they were going to support whatever I decided."

His decision to leave Seattle for sun-soaked Miami came down to more than just the change of climate. Giles wanted the opportunity to play for a team where he could make an immediate impact on a big stage. "The (Miami) basketball team is about to enter the ACC," Giles said. "So I'll get a lot of good looks nationally."

As perennial basketball powerhouses, Kansas and Arizona never lack for talent, and Beach basketball coach Mike Bethea said Giles would not get the exposure he needed from those schools.

Giles also said he liked what he saw at Miami with regard to academics. He plans to major in business and likes the school's well-regarded business school and small class sizes. Giles also wants to leave Seattle - and its weather - for a completely different environment.

He diplomatically acknowledged Washington and Washington State as having good programs, but said Miami is the right fit for him. "I just want to go down there, work hard, and, hopefully, get as much playing time as I need," he said. Giles averaged 8.2 points for Beach last season and helped his team defeat Issaquah 65-56 for the Class 3A state title.

Bethea said this has been the most tiring recruiting process he has been through - even after dealing with Jamal Crawford (Michigan, then NBA), Nate Robinson (UW) and the Stewart twins, Rodrick and Lodrick (USC). While they all made their decisions early, Giles did not narrow his choices until recently.

Giles made a name for himself over the summer, Bethea said, playing for Seattle Rotary, an AAU team in Las Vegas, and at the Adidas ABCD camp in Hackensack, N.J. Coaches from Kansas, Arizona and Old Dominion continue to call and ask him to sleep on his decision. Yesterday, Giles shook his head like a survivor of a long, hard battle. "I've been sleeping on it for a while," he said.

Now that he has made his decision, he can forget about college and focus on high school again, and on leading Beach to another state title, he said. "That's all I've got to worry about," Giles said. "Winning another state." Bethea turned to his star player and laughed. "Easier said than done." - Seattle Times


09/29/03: “This spring it was reported that C.J. Giles had committed to USC. Giles denied the report. And today he made it clear just how false that was – he announced that he has committed to the University of Miami. The 6-foot-11, 233-pound center was attracted to the Canes because of the coaching staff and the chance for early playing time. “It’s a real solid commitment, I feel real comfortable with everything at Miami,” Giles said. “It’s a great school, coach Clark’s a very good coach and it’s a small school with a great business program.”

Giles also said Miami’s move to the ACC was a factor. “The ACC was a big attraction,” he said. “There’s a lot of competition in the ACC and I wanted that.” Giles says he carries a 3.9 grade-point average. He liked UM’s academics, picking the Canes over Kansas and Arizona in the end. “It was a real hard decision for me -- Miami’s a great school, a great program,” Giles said. “I needed a small school, I don’t need big classes.”

Giles says he didn’t tell UM coach Perry Clark that he was committing until today. “We kind of snuck up on him and surprised him,” Giles said. “Coach Clark didn’t think I was going to go there. He was nervous I was going to Kansas.” In fact, Giles had canceled a planned visit to Kansas. He visited Miami Sept. 4 and Old Dominion after that but canceled his remaining trips. He knew where he wanted to go.

Giles has earned a reputation as a ferocious defender. He’s gained over 50 pounds in the last two years, beginning working out with weights as a sophomore when he says he weighed in at 175 pounds. He’s not one of those guys that struggles to adds pounds. “I was real bony (as a freshman),” he said. “I gained weight just working out. At the beginning of this year I was 215 and now I’m 233. I’m just eating protein, bananas and a whole bunch of stuff.”

Giles has only played organized basketball since his freshman year. Before that he says he was hanging out around gangs – “I turned everything around,” he now says. “It’s that the place I was living then was a bad area, I saw a lot of bad stuff. “Before my sophomore year I didn’t see myself in the place I am right now,” he adds. “I wasn’t thinking about basketball (seriously).” As a junior Giles averaged 10 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks for a Rainier team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation at one point.

He is the No. 39 ranked prospect in the nation, regardless of position, by Rivals.com, and is the No. 7 ranked center in the nation. “The kid is so athletic,” Rainier High coach Mike Bethea said. “He’s as athletic as a 6-4 guy. A typical example of C.J. and his athleticism: When we were playing last year in Houston against Oak Hill, the kid from Oak Hill stole the ball at the top of the key. C.J. was behind the basket and came from nowhere and blocked the shot out of bounds and the (Oak Hill) kid was going full speed. He reminds so many people of a young David Robinson. This kid is such a defensive presence. I haven’t seen that in a player before.” In one game last year Giles had an incredible 14 blocked shots. “I mostly think about blocking everything I can,” Giles said. “We won that game because I blocked a shot at the end.”

Giles has made a name for himself as a big player who can handle the ball and shoot well from outside as well as in the post. Giles also has good bloodlines – his father played four years at Kansas and was a high draft choice Now Giles hopes to live up to expectations. “Coach Clark said he’s going to have me shoot a lot, use me a lot on defense (right away),” Giles said. - CaneSport.com

09/09/03: “One of the fastest rising hoops prospects on the west coast is four star center Chester “C.J.” Giles (7-0, 240) from Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach. The Bruins are making a late run for Giles as are plenty of other teams. The competition for the services of Giles has really heated up as basketball powers from coast-to-coast are lining up for the attention of the big man from Seattle. “C.J. is outstanding,” Rainier Beach athletic director Dan Jurdy said. “You have a kid whose offensive is rapidly developing and he’s a natural shot blocker. You can’t teach his instincts as a shot blocker. C.J. is tremendously athletically gifted,” Jurdy said. “He can really move as a 7-footer.” Giles has outstanding ball handling skills for a big man, has a good outside shot and runs the floor real well. He hustles all the time and plays hard on both ends of the floor.

Giles has outstanding bloodlines. His father his 6-foot-11 and played basketball at Kansas. His mother was also a standout scholarship athlete at KU and his sister signed with Georgia Tech out of high school but transferred back to the Pac10 and went to the nationals in the 4x100 and the 400-meter for Washington State.

UCLA has some work to do and are trying to set up a visit with Giles for sometime in October. He has already visited Miami, according to Jurdy.

Jurdy also told BruinBlitz that North Carolina and Kansas are lined up for visits. “Roy Williams will be up here this week to talk to C.J. about visits,” Jurdy said. “Kansas is also scheduled to come to Seattle to talk visits, but I’m not sure of the date.”

It has been reported that Giles will visit Kansas on September 26th, and that he will officially visit Arizona the weekend of October 17th for Midnight Madness. Both schools have offered. USC was at one time considered the leader but they have dropped out of the picture according to Jurdy. Washington, Oregon, Old Dominion, as well as UCLA are also in the picture.” - BruinBlitz.com (UCLA)

08/14/03: “Rainier Beach center C.J. Giles has turned into one of the hottest basketball recruits in the West this summer. "He's got legit offers from North Carolina, UConn, Kansas, the UW, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona and USC," Beach coach Mike Bethea said. "I probably left off two or three others."

Bethea said the 6-foot-11 Giles has "gone off the charts" this summer before his senior season. "One coach called from Las Vegas (a summer tournament site) and said he had 14 blocks in one game," Bethea said.

Bethea said Giles soon will narrow the number of interested schools to five for official visits. He said Giles seems strongly inclined to include Miami, Kansas and Arizona among the five. Giles averaged about nine points and eight rebounds last season as a junior on the Class 3A state-champion Beach team that was headlined by USC-bound senior twins Rodrick and Lodrick Stewart.” - Seattle Times


08/03/03: “One player likely to improve in the recruiting rankings after a terrific summer is Chester "C.J." Giles, a developing 6-foot-9, 233-pound power forward/center from Rainier Beach H.S. in Seattle, Wash. Giles, who scorched a couple of West Coast events with his skills, played for the Seattle Rotary at the more recent Best of the Summer Tournament in Los Angeles. "Kansas and Southern Cal are my two top schools," Giles said. "I am also considering Arizona, Oregon and Washington."

Summer 2003 - Chester Giles (6'11" Jr. C, Seattle (WA) Rainier Beach HS) Long big man was impressive, though he certainly has areas for development. He's athletic and very quick off his feet, and he rebounded very well and showed a touch on a few mid-range jumpers. That said, he rebounds mainly using the aforementioned physical attributes and needs to get stronger and more aggressive to fully reach his potential. His footwork is okay and his post moves could use some refinement. High-major prospect.” - Hoopville (Notes from 2003 AND 1 High School Basketball Championship Finals)