N.C. State forward C.J. Leslie has told the Wolfpack's coaches that he did not petition the NBA for inclusion in this summer's draft as an early-entry candidate, team spokeswoman Annabelle Myers said this afternoon.
The deadline for underclassmen to enter the draft was 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.
Leslie, who's from Holly Springs and played for Word of God Academy in high school, was named to the ACC all-freshman team last season. He led the Wolfpack in rebounding (7.2 rpg) and was second in scoring (11.0 ppg) only to senior Tracy Smith as N.C. State finished 15-16 in coach Sidney Lowe's final season.
After the April 5 news conference to announce the hiring of coach Mark Gottfried, Leslie said he wanted to get to know Gottfried better before deciding whether to enter the draft. A 6-foot-8 forward, Leslie joins Lorenzo Brown and Scott Wood to give N.C. State three returning starters in Gottfried's first season.
Comments
C.J. Leslie staying with pack
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 08:23 — ericmskiI am glad he is staying. I dont think he is matured enough as a basketball player to go to the NBA yet. I think Coach Gottfried and his staff can get him to that next level.
Potential
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 21:45 — growupLeslie can become a good player, but that is up to him. I hope this is the first of many good decisions on his part.
good news?
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 20:42 — JPDOhioI am surprised by this, but pleased if he does come back for another year. Maybe it's just me, but "not declaring for the NBA draft" is not the same as "coming back to the Pack next year". I hope I am reading too much into that distinction.
We all know that CJL is not ready for pro basketball. Hopefully, this decision is an indication that CJ has finally gets it too. If he gets his head in the game and applies himself, we will finally see the results we all expected last year but didn't get.
I have been very critical of CJL and don't regret any of it. But, with a new coaching staff and a new beginning for CJL and Pack hoops, I am ready to wipe the slate clean and see where we go.
Good point
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 12:28 — SurferNot going to the NBA may not necessarily mean that he is coming back. Certainly coming back is what he needs to do. But I guess the tell tale sign will be if he actually starts going to classes in the Fall.
So Awesome
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 19:25 — regnatThis is awesome. Let's go get it - ACC Style. Preseason #1 baby!
Leslie had no choice
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 17:41 — hat_in_handDeclaring for the NBA was never a choice. It was either come back to NCSU or go to Europe or the D-league. No NBA team would even take a flyer on CJL right now.
Skills? - yes. Work ethic?- not even on the radar.
Not Fair
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 22:08 — acc_hoops_fan73178What do you know of his work ethic? Do you have knowledge of how much time he puts into his game? Why hate on him if you admit he made a good decision?
Your assessment of the draft may not be correct. He very well could've been drafted since this draft will be historically weak due to underclassmen returning to school b/c of the inevitable lockout. The problem isn't whether he gets a shot with an NBA team. The problem is that there may not be NBA basketball at all next year.
fair
Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:32 — JPDOhioAll you had to do is watch him play to see that work ethic was lacking. Are we to believe that he works like crazy on his own and in practice, but then takes half of the plays off in the games? It's usually the other way around.
Much of my frustration with CJL up to now has been the obvious waste of God-given talent on a lazy, unfocused young man. Here's hoping that this past season was a wake up call for Leslie and leads to a positive change allowing him to fully develop his considerable talent.
thanks mr. leslie
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 15:49 — izzykareemnow lets get to work and kick some tarhole butt this year for a change.
Oh yeah...y'all come get
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 21:27 — pot_bunkerOh yeah...y'all come get some!