C. J. Aiken
C. J. Aiken | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 27, 1990 United States |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Years active | 2013–present |
Charles Justin "C. J." Aiken (born September 27, 1990) is a professional basketball athlete from the United States. He competed at the collegiate level representing Saint Joseph's University.
College career
During his tenure with the Saint Joseph's team, Aiken took part in 98 contests, starting in 82 of them across three seasons. He posted averages of 9.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game while playing approximately 30.2 minutes each outing. Recognized as one of the top shot-blockers nationally in the NCAA, he secured the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year distinction for the 2011–12 season.
In April 2013, Aiken opted to enter the NBA draft, choosing to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.
Professional career
Following the 2013 NBA draft, where he was not selected, Aiken participated with the Sacramento Kings during the Las Vegas Summer League and later attended their mini-camp in September.
On November 1, 2013, he was picked fifth overall by the Texas Legends in the 2013 NBA Development League Draft. Shortly after, he was traded to the Erie BayHawks in exchange for Terrel Harris. In the 2013–14 season, Aiken appeared in six games, averaging 4.7 points along with 3.8 rebounds per contest. He was reacquired by Erie on January 27, 2015, but released two days later without logging any game time.
Aiken signed with Polish squad Wilki Morskie Szczecin of the Polish Basketball League on September 7, 2015. In March 2017, he joined Australia's Bendigo Braves competing in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL), where he averaged 20.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. His defensive prowess earned him SEABL Defensive Player of the Year honors while ranking second in rebounding.
September 2017 saw Aiken return to Poland with Czarni Słupsk in the Tauron Basket Liga, posting averages of 11.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks before departing in November. Early in 2018, he signed with the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Niagara River Lions.
In March of that year, Aiken joined the Philippine Basketball Association’s Kia Picanto for their Commissioner's Cup campaign. Later in October 2018, he moved to compete for Czech Republic’s top-tier team Tuři Svitavy.
By July 2019, he had inked a deal with Hungary’s NB I/A club PVSK Panthers. On July 7, 2020, Aiken transitioned to another Hungarian team, Kaposvári KK, but departed on September 29 due to injury concerns.
On January 8, 2022, he signed with Taiwanese Super Basketball League outfit Taoyuan Pauian Archiland, concluding the season with an All-Taiwanese Honorable Mention accolade.
In February 2023, Aiken joined Qatar’s premier league side Al Gharafa and was subsequently honored as a member of the All-Qatar D1 Second Team.
Most recently, on May 24, 2025, he earned recognition as Hoops Agent Player of the Week following a double-double performance while playing for Kinwa Club in Libobasquet.