C.J. Leslie, a 6-foot-9 junior forward at Word of God Christian
Academy, sounds like a young man who would like to keep his options open on where he'll go to college.
Leslie verbally committed to N.C. State after his freshman year of high school.
After sitting out Word of God's victory over Flora McDonald a week ago because of a sprained ankle, he was asked whether the early commitment made the college process easier because he didn't have to worry about it, or gave him more time to think about whether that's what he really wants to do.
"A little of both," Leslie said. "I mean, it has its ups and its downs. I feel like I did commit as a ninth-grader, so it was a bit early. Just committing so early, you don’t really have a chance to see other colleges and know what you really want."
On whether he was taking any other college visits, he said: "Not right now. I’m just focusing on basketball. I feel like if it comes up, it’ll be time [to deal with it]."
Leslie also said he and teammate John Wall, a senior point guard who has not committed to any school yet, have talked about the possibility of playing at the same school, but the fact that they're in different classes and that Wall is expected to jump to the NBA after his freshman season in college make that scenario less likely. But Leslie made clear that both want to play for teams with up-tempo styles. Wall is considering Baylor, Kansas, Memphis, N.C. State and Duke.
Leslie, who sprained his left ankle during Word of God's recent trip to a Missouri tournament, also sat out the team's victory Monday over Waccamaw Academy, but Word of God coach Levi Beckwith says Leslie will return to the lineup tonight against Victory Christian.
