The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NBA draft is a week away, and N.C. State's C.J. Leslie is still weighing his options, his mother Lisa said Tuesday.
Lisa Leslie said C.J. requested a report from the NBA's draft advisory committee, a group of NBA executives who provide players considering turning pro with a non-binding assessment of their draft status. Those reports are due back to players on Friday, and the Leslies plan to sit down with N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried once that information is in hand.
"Once that's in, we will sit down with the coach," Lisa Leslie said. "We'll go over it and play things out, see what the best option is."
In Chapel Hill, a UNC spokesman said freshman forward James Michael McAdoo has not yet submitted his name to the NBA. Underclassmen have until Tuesday, April 10, to declare their intentions to the NCAA. Players who submit their names and do not sign with an agent can still withdraw their names before that deadline.
Duke's Mason Plumlee, a junior, is also considering whether to turn pro. His teammate Austin Rivers and North Carolina's Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Kendall Marshall all have decided to leave school already.
Leslie's development as a star during his sophomore season earned him second-team all-ACC honors and was a big reason the Wolfpack advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament, where N.C. State lost to eventual national finalist Kansas.
Most predictions have Leslie going in either the late first or early second rounds if he turns pro. Scouts were impressed with his personal growth and ability to dominate games last season, but concerns exist about his NBA position -- he's not big or strong enough to play power forward, but doesn't have the perimeter game to play small forward.
Probasketballdraft.com ranks Leslie the 27th best prospect, while DraftExpress ranks Leslie the 43rd-best prospect in the draft, an example of the diversity of opinion surrounding the 6-foot-9 forward. Still, his athleticism for a player that size is notable, and his development is on an upward curve, which is attractive to NBA teams.
"I have Leslie as a second-round pick right now," said probasketballdraft.com editor Joe Kotoch. "He could maybe get into the last 5-8 spots in the first round, but he has his work cut out for him."
Lisa Leslie said the family is feeling the pinch of the NCAA's new deadline. In years past, players had almost two months to weigh their draft options. Under pressure from coaches, the NCAA moved the decision point back to May 8 last year and April 10 this year.
"You only have a short window, so you really have to stay on it," Lisa Leslie said. "You have to investigate, get as much research as you can and then make your decision."
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at (919) 829-8947, @LukeDeCock on Twitter or
Comments
Interesting
Thu, 04/05/2012 - 13:50 — SurferCan't imagine him giving up all that mula and having to return to classes for another year. Stranger things have happened though.
Show me the money
Thu, 04/05/2012 - 21:28 — JPDOhioIf CJ were guaranteed to be a 1st round pick, I would bet that he would go. Problem is- I doubt he is going to get that guarantee. Hence the need to get an official opinion on his potential status.
I'm not totally up on the NBA CBA, but my understanding is that there is some guarantee for first round picks, but none for 2nd round picks. I don't look very often, but I have yet to see Calvin in the first round of any mock draft I have seen.
So with no guaranteed payoff and the opportunity to improve his standing next year, it is not inconceivable that he will stay. I would not have thought that possible one year ago.
Just an opinion
Thu, 04/05/2012 - 15:50 — mad_maxfrom a Heels fan.
Difference between Leslie and UNC's NBA-bound underclassmen, is that Leslie came to State knowing that if he signed up for an african american studies class, then he would actually be required to go to a class. As your favorite football coach in the state pointed out last year, all classes at NC State acutally have syllabi. Something tells me that some of those Carolina boys wanted no part in having to do real school work now that the athletic department is on probation.
That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to see Calvin leave this year, but I also wouldn't be surprised if he came back for another year either.
yes
Sat, 04/07/2012 - 12:50 — SurferBut didn't you say that CJ was as good as anybody on UNC's roster? So from a talent level standpoint?
Umm no
Sat, 04/07/2012 - 15:37 — mad_maxI never said that. Not sure where you're getting that from...
okay
Sun, 04/08/2012 - 21:24 — SurferPerhaps it was willncsu then.
Perhaps
Sun, 04/08/2012 - 21:25 — mad_maxI remember reading something like that, but I'm pretty sure that I never said it.
Bs
Sat, 04/07/2012 - 20:56 — gvillegatrYou did so say it. Said about three or four weeks ago when CJL was playing well down the stretch.
BS
Sun, 04/08/2012 - 21:24 — mad_maxDon't think so. Provide a quote/link. I'm thinking YARPack said something like that.
will ncsu
Mon, 04/09/2012 - 21:03 — gvillegatrHe definitely said it and you commented on his post about how he was correct.
still bs
Wed, 04/11/2012 - 01:46 — mad_maxlink/quote
Yes
Thu, 04/05/2012 - 22:21 — gvillegatrThat CJL was recognized as an elite scholar coming into college. He'll probably end up staying four years and getting a double major in finance and accounting. Every momma's dream, that boy.
Cool
Thu, 04/05/2012 - 22:29 — JPDOhioThen he would be just like me, except for the vertical leap and consistent work ethic.
Inside track
Thu, 04/05/2012 - 23:26 — gvillegatrYour firm ought to be breathing down his neck two yrs from now. I could see a little mentor program budding out of JPD !