C.J. Leslie will announce decision soon…for real this time

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’ve had just about enough of the C.J. Leslie saga. I understand he’s a great high school player who will likely be a great college player and this is just how things are nowadays with recruiting, but at this point it’s just old.

Just in the last two weeks Leslie has hinted that he would announce at last weekend’s Jordan Brand Classic in New York City. Then he changed his mind, saying he would wait until after an official visit to Florida following the all-star game. Then the trip to Florida got canceled, by Florida. Now, Leslie says the day is near. I’ll believe when I see it.

That being said, NC State needs to get Leslie. He would make an immediate impact on next year’s team and would get serious minutes. There’s been plenty of discussion about Leslie and his recruitment on the SFN forums.

Here’s the latest update on Leslie’s recruitment.

C.J. Leslie will announce college decision too

Nearing the end of his years amid a bizarre American ritual – and nearing 11 p.m. on Saturday – C.J. Leslie emerged from a locker room in the innards of Madison Square Garden looking vaguely weary.

“I’m done,” he said, beaming his huge and winning smile, but no, that’s not what he meant.

He meant he’s done with far-flung nationally televised all-star games, limit two per phenom per NCAA mandate. The 6-foot-8 Holly Springs resident with the shimmering versatility remains undone with the fielding of the question long yammered around him.

10-11 Basketball ACC Basketball Recruiting College Basketball

52 Responses to C.J. Leslie will announce decision soon…for real this time

  1. boonami 04/20/2010 at 8:55 AM #

    I do hope he comes because we definitely need him, but my gut is that Calamari has spread enough FUD about our program to Leslie to make him follow Wall there.

  2. tuckerdorm1983 04/20/2010 at 9:04 AM #

    he seems like a prima donna. Everyone wants me and I will play it for all it is worth. He is a ONE AND DONE where ever he goes. Duke had no ONE AND DONES and Singler is staying. In the end ONE AND DONES do little for a program (remember JJ Hickson)

  3. boonami 04/20/2010 at 9:19 AM #

    that’s a great point. I’d rather have players like Singler/Scheyer/Smith who stay and build a great program versus a wall/hickson/cousins one and done. We just need the caliber of player that are good and will stay 3-4 years.

  4. blackdom 04/20/2010 at 9:34 AM #

    He did not cancel the visit to Florida ,Billy D cancelled ,guess he unlike some other players in this mix do not like being played by some kid!
    He IMHO is not a one and done caliber player the problem is he thinks he is which makes it worse .
    I guess the interview took place at 11?

  5. Derek Medlin 04/20/2010 at 9:42 AM #

    I said that Florida canceled.

  6. Thinkpack17 04/20/2010 at 9:47 AM #

    “In the end ONE AND DONES do little for a program (remember JJ Hickson)”

    Yep, I also remember Carmelo Anthony, Marvin Williams, Brandon Wright, Kevin Durant, Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden.

  7. frankiepack 04/20/2010 at 9:49 AM #

    Good for Donovan, I do remember JJ playing here ,the others did not come here.

  8. Thinkpack17 04/20/2010 at 9:54 AM #

    So we are only using one and doners who went to NC State as a measure of the question “Do one and doners help a program?” I think that sample size may be a little too small to get any meaningful data.

  9. Alpha Wolf 04/20/2010 at 9:59 AM #

    If CJ chooses UK, as expected, all we will hear for weeks is gloom and doom over his decision.

    I can hardly wait.

  10. one00_proof 04/20/2010 at 10:01 AM #

    I lol every time people blame the 2007 season on Hickson. Hickson was not the problem, players knockin up other players gf’s however is a huge problem. (Case in point, Villanova this year)

  11. coach13 04/20/2010 at 10:20 AM #

    I agree whole heartedly. Hickson was not the problem. The bad vibe/attitude swirling around (eminating from Costner & Co) was envy/jealousy?. Not Hickson’s proplem. We have a good supporting cast that wants to win, and I think they will accept and play well with whoever helps them in that regard.

    I am not a fan of 1&doners, but until the game/rule changes, I don’t think you can scratch them off your wish list. NOW, if the whole team was like that (ie Kentucky) I think that could definitely hurt a program, and give too much power to a coach.

    Look at the power Calipari has right now. If HYPOTHETICALLY he demanded more money RIGHT NOW from Kentucky or he walks, look at the the shape he leaves the program in. They basically have NO team. You talk about starting from scratch. I would hate to know my entire program hinged on the coach staying year to year and that is what they have right now.

    Finally, the whole playing time thing (or guarantee as they talk about Kentucky) works both ways. IF he is good enough, he would play as many minutes with the Pack. I think Lowe proved with Wood if he thinks you are doing the job you will get all the minutes you could want. What was Wood’s average minutes played this year? The kid started every game and didn’t ride the pine much at all even when he wasn’t hitting shots.

  12. triadwolf 04/20/2010 at 10:45 AM #

    It will be what it will be and the Wolfpack will play next season regardless.

    That being said, if he comes to State he’ll make a nice addition and add some much needed skills.

  13. choppack1 04/20/2010 at 11:00 AM #

    I’ve heard some encouraging things on this front.

    We’ll see.

    of course, one has to wonder – if he knows now – what’s he waiting for?

  14. Justin Gainey 04/20/2010 at 11:11 AM #

    He is waiting on Sydney Lowe’s last visit to the house so he can tell Sydney, “Coach, you were there from the begining, and I am coming to NC State!” Bring it on Leslie! Harrow, Brown, You, Tracy and Wood, no one is stopping us in the ACC.

  15. WolftownVA81 04/20/2010 at 11:37 AM #

    Have to admire Donnovan for that decision. If more coaches would take a stand, perhaps the circus like atmosphere woudl tone down a little.

  16. sbas2 04/20/2010 at 11:41 AM #

    first, more details on the Villinova problem referenced above-please!

    if my thinking is correct for once, if Leslie goes elsewhere State gets Luke. Luke is not as good as Leslie, but he ain’t bad. so its not all gloom and doom if Leslie goes elsewhere, but i hope he picks State. Luke also doing so would be even better. dreamer i am.

  17. rtpack24 04/20/2010 at 12:14 PM #

    Luke is not coming to NC State no matter who signs or doesn’t sign. I will be suprised if he qualifies.

  18. Justin Gainey 04/20/2010 at 12:39 PM #

    Luke might qualify if he picks Alabama or Auburn, hahah. It doesn’t take much there. They always seem to find a way.

  19. sbas2 04/20/2010 at 12:45 PM #

    will Brown qualify? i have read a number of posts which question that.

    first time i have read that Luke will not qualify.

  20. fernandopacker 04/20/2010 at 12:49 PM #

    Yes, I too wonder if Brown will qualify?

  21. b 04/20/2010 at 1:02 PM #

    I read on one of the recruiting websites Billy D cancelled because Moms Leslie wasn’t coming to Gainsville with him. The speculation was that since he was certain Leslie wouldn’t be signing unless she was there, he didn’t want to use Leslie’s visit.

    I wish he would make a decision too, but I don’t hold it against a young man for waiting as long as possible. Look at it this way, if he’s taking a while to decide on where he wants to go to school, he may be this careful before jumping to the NBA.

    I don’t see one and done talent in him with the limited number of times I’ve seen him, but it seems the NBA is eager to eat the young to find this out. If he comes great, if he doesn’t WTNY will pick up more steam.

  22. CaptainCraptacular 04/20/2010 at 1:29 PM #

    Some of this sermonizing about one-n-done guys is truly mind-boggling.

    If Leslie is talented enough to be one and done, then NCSU basketball will be better off with him in Raleigh. If it is for one year only, that’s allright. Great for him and good for us that we would get to see him in Red and White instead of watching him play somewhere else. May still be a pipe dream, but bring on CJ.

  23. Alpha Wolf 04/20/2010 at 1:42 PM #

    Here’s my tale on one and dones: every time those guys get mentioned in an NBA game as being from NC State, it only helps recruiting.

  24. mafpack 04/20/2010 at 3:12 PM #

    Has anyone else considered with a looming NBA lockout in 2011 that ‘One-and-Done’ will actually be ‘Two-and-Done’ by default? Two years of CJL/Harrow/Brown/Wood, sign me up for a cup of that.

    Which, on another topic, makes Singler’s decision to stay for his Senior year even more mind boggling… take Ed Davis’s lead kid and go Pro while the get’n is good.

  25. choppack1 04/20/2010 at 3:28 PM #

    mafpack – I think Singler should go pro.

    But perhaps he’s enjoying college and playing for Coach K. And if that’s the case, then he should stay as long as he’s aware of the risks – and I suspect he is.

Leave a Reply