C.J. Leslie Diary: Decision Time
Words. C.J. Leslie
Word of God Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) forward C.J. Leslie is one of the 10 best prep players in the country, period. Originally committed to N.C. State, Leslie re-opened his recruiting last year, making his one of the most intriguing stories in the 2010 class. The All-American also happens to be one of its most exciting players. C.J. agreed to give High School Hoop exclusive access in a regular diary about his season and the recruiting process as he inched closer to a decision. In his latest entry, C.J. talks about finally picking a college:
*** *** ***
What’s up my people!
Well, I wanted to let you all know that I decided to re-commit to N.C. State! It was just the best decision for me. I feel like Coach (Sidney) Lowe can get guys to the next level. He obviously played in the league and he did it with J.J. Hickson.
It came really close with Kentucky. Not because my boy John Wall went there, but because Coach (John) Calipari is just a great coach too. In the end it was between those two and UConn. All of the schools offered great situations, but it came down to where I felt the most comfortable and where I felt the most at home and that was at State. I have so much respect for Coach Lowe, and I know that he’s going to make me the best player I can be. My boy John did his thing at Kentucky. I’ll pave my own way at N.C. State.
I really put all of the research in this time because obviously I committed one time before and I really wanted to make sure that this was the best decision for me. I really did my homework!
When I committed, Coach Lowe and the staff were really happy about it. I was really happy too and so was my family. I’m just excited right now.
Of course my boy Ryan Harrow (Walton, Ga.) is coming to State too and that really helped, just knowing that I’d be playing with him. He always says that I’m the best at my position and I really feel like he’s the best too. Oh, and my boy TaShawn Mabry (Rocky Mount, N.C.) is coming to State, too. Go ahead and write that down because he is coming! We’re getting him to State! He’s coming because I said it! He’s the last part of a big recruiting class and we need him. That’s my man and he is SOOOO underrated. I’m telling you, he is the most underrated player in the country, in my opinion. He is ridiculously skilled and he just didn’t get a chance like other players, but if he comes to State and everything works out like I know it will he will be talked about as much as anyone on the team. Remember I said that.
With him coming our class has to be top five in the country. Has to! I think we’ll be top five in the country in the preseason too… We’ll get to the ACC Tournament championship game and we’ll go to the Final Four in the tournament. I’m telling you, I should be an analyst.
This is a quick breakdown of our team: Tracy Smith is gonna continue to be a beast in the post, and he’s gonna work on his jump shot more, which will make him a more complete player. Then we’ve got Ryan and he’s got to get bigger, but he is very talented. I won’t say that he’s gonna start from the beginning, but give it about three games and he will probably be starting. That’s how good he is. I’m gonna work on getting stronger, and I’ll be doing a little bit of everything out there. I’m working on all aspects of my game this summer very hard, but my main focus is getting stronger. Scott Wood is a good player; he’s just got to work on being more aggressive and creating his own shot. Coach Lowe may change up the style too because we have a lot of different players that can do a lot of different things. I didn’t even mention a few of the other talented guys.
Me, Lorenzo Brown, Ryan and TaShawn are gonna give the fans what they want. We’re bringing it back to the Pack! I’m excited!
Me and my family are going to go celebrate right now! But I’m officially part of the Pack!
Check back for my next diary.
We’re ready for you CJ! Hometown hero in the making!!!
Great entry. Love the TM shout out and agree that would be a top five class (if it isn’t already). I’m not going to start calling out starters but if everyone plays their part, regardless of what it is, a nice run in the tourney will hopefully happen.
Welcome to the Pack! You four of you (TM included) might want to clue the fans in on your preferred nicknames. I’m sure you’ve seen some of the pathetic attempts at nicks for our new backcourt. Personally, I’m referring to you guys as the 4 Horsemen until further notice. I was already more excited than I’ve been in years because of Ryan and Zo. With you and TaShawn joining the party, the sky is the limit! My seats will be filled every game. The RBC will be rocking every game (like the Duke game). Congrats on your decision, and good luck in the future. Now go work hard and hang a d@mned banner!!!
WolfPack in the house!!!
Welcome aboard CJ! Glad to have you! It’s been a long time coming… no pressure though.
Thank you, CJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are ready for next season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Save your best dunk for the Holes and Devils!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOO! Wolfpack Nation is ECSTATIC! Can’t wait to see you guys next year!
Welcome to the Pack family CJ. You made the right decision. You will end up being a legend here at NCSU. Just listen to coach Lowe, as he will get you to where you want to be….NBA
Welcome aboard CJ! You have the right attitude. We’ve got a good collection of talent, now it must be refined. Everyone on the team is very important and everyone must work very hard to improve ans thwart any weaknesses. We must outwork the other teams and always remember there are 2 ends to a basketball court and both count. Go to class, put in the basketball and fitness work and have a good time doing it. GO PACK!
Welcome aboard CJ! You have the right attitude. We’ve got a good collection of talent, now it must be refined. Everyone on the team is very important and everyone must work very hard to improve and thwart any weaknesses. We must outwork the other teams and always remember there are 2 ends to a basketball court and both count. Go to class, put in the basketball and fitness work and have a good time doing it. GO PACK!
Welcome Home CJ.
History in the making.
All I can say is thank you CJ. On the 17th anniversary of his passing, you have made Coach V smile down from heaven as one of his Wolfpackers, Coach Lowe, has landed the crowning jewel in the class that brings the Pack back where we belong. Let TaShawn know we are ready to have him round this class out. UNC who? Duke what? This is the greatest day in Wolfpack sports in a long, long time.
Welcome Home, CJ!
The RBC is going to be CRAZY!!!!
I want a poster of you on Harrison Barnes. Make it extra nasty. thanks.
Welcome to the Pack CJ. Can’t wait to see you guys dominate the ACC.
Wolfpack Nation is in celebration, too. Great to have CJL running with the Pack. We’re coming back, baby!!!!
Good get but this kid is a clear one and done and if it gets ncstate to .500 in the ACC, I’d be amazed. Think about, do we know that Leslie will be as good as aminu as a soph? maybe, maybe not. Do we know that Harrow will be as good as the senior year version of Ish Smith? Most likely, no. Well that wake team went 9-7 in a down year. The real bad news for state fans is this buys El Sid another 4 years in the red jacket and there is no evidence he can coach and this is his 1st highly rated recruit that most programs passed on because of character issues. It’s like UC grabbing lance stephenson after EVERYONE passed.
WELCOME TO THE PACK CJ!!! See fools like JP are the reason we are glad you are here. You can shut his mouth when you are dunkin all over the ACC!! Just wave at the haters and keep throwing it down on them!
JP nice bait, all I’ll say is that you’re an idiot, you don’t deserve a legit response, and clearly you can’t read because CJ just pointed out 2 other 5 star recruits coming in this year. I’d have taken my chances with those 2 alone, but CJ is about 3 inches of extra icing on the cake. You just wish Ish Smith had half the skill set that Harrow has.
Congrats Wolfpack fans. The kid certainly has lofty expectations for this coming season, hope yall have a great season, and that Sidney does open up the offense more. With the athletes, and talent on hand, Coach doesn’t have to call a set play every time down the court. Again, congrats Pack on getting your guy!
well well well.. Congrats on all these wonderful commitments pack fans… For your sake though ..i hope cj sn’t one and out…
but if I was a pack fan.. Which I am not… I would be a little bit more exited about tashawn terry… Yes, he flew under the radar and is one of the best players in the nation.. A little dum as my dukies passed up on him for his grades.. But he is the real deal….. So I’m glad that hating you will be a little bit more fun this season.. But don’t get ahead of yourselves.. WE ALL KNOW THAT WINNING A TITLE IN COLLEGE REQUIRES A GOOD COACH AND DEFENSE…. Both of which you guys lack tons of…. 2010 ACC AND NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPS … RAINING ON YOUR PARADE DUKES OWNS YOU AND CAROLINA.. HAHAHHAHAHA
It’s fans, and comments like these that make hating dook sooo easy!
I love it.. guys like “keyvin” (nice name by the way) are so worried that they are all over your post spewing hate. makes it even sweeter… CJ, take care of the baby blue for us..as for Duke, we already took care of you last year so you are really a non-issue. Way to be your own man and as Jules said, “choose Good over Evil!”
GREAT ARTICLE JJ, NICE SHOUT OUT CJ ABOUT TASHAWN MABRY, 2ND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN BY ESPNRISE.COM HIGHSCHOOLHOOPS RANKINGS R NOT THAT OFF LIKE SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID, I’M SURE THEY HAD THERE REASONS……BUT THATS ANOTHER STORY.
EVEN IF CJ IS ONE AND DONE, THIS CLAS IS BUILT 4 THE NEXT 4YEARS, NO EXCUSES WITH THIS TALENT HE HAS RAKED IN!!
IT ALSO TAKES MORE THAN TALENT 2 WIN CONSISTANTLY, LET ALONE AN ACC TITLE AND A SPOT IN THE FINAL FOUR.
I LOVE THE CLASS THOUGH, BUT ITS ALL ABOUT HB, KM AND RB!!! THEM TARHEELS R BACK…..WHAT AM I SAYING, WE NEVER LEFT. JUST TOOK A CAT NAP!!
I like harrow. He’ll be way better than Ish but Ish was a senior and harrow will be learning on the job. Ask unc about relying on raw talent in the ACC. Oh, and obviously Tracy Smith sees what i see because the day after CJ commits, Tracy leaves. I’ll change my 9-7 to 6-10 now, thanks. The pack is back…..to being very average
JP and Ray – You guys are so obviously scared that this is icing on the cake. I just hope you are older than 12…
Keep talking – you are only motivating others to work harder….
Dook may know what hard work is (along with cheating), but UNC does not have a clue (7 burger boys and could not even make the NCAA)….
Good choice, CJ! Congrats.
Welcome CJ.
The talent and bonds of this class are unbelievable.
Go for it!! Our fans have been waiting for the glory day.
JP get over on some Tarhole site where you belong and quit spewing BS on this one. Sid and his staff found CJ, Ryan and Lorenzo BEFORE anyone knew they were going to be 5 star players.You do not attend practices with the team so you have no idea how well Sid and his staff coaches.The vast majority of coaching is done in practice for any sport.You , me or anyone else is not qualified to judge coaches without seeing them at practice.
wrong. You me and anyone else can judge coaches easily, check the record. You can have the greatest 3 man weave in history going in practice but if it doesn’t translate into wins, get out. So let’s judge away on El Sid; In 4 years, he is 20-44 in conference with two trips to the NIT. yuck.
I know CJ is a big get for you guys but think about it, he’s a carolina kid that unc and Duke didn’t even sniff. Think there might be some issues there?
I’m just saying, know your role. The Pack isn’t back, however they are possibly competitive and that’s a big step up for you guys. If these kids even MAKE the NCAA’s, pack fans should be proud and understand that El Sid will probably have to double his conference wins to get that done. good luck.
CJ visited unc after he decommited and El Roy said he would give him a scholorship if he would commit right then, but CJ wasn’t ready to do that.
So yeah unc did sniff him.
Welcome aboard CJ!!!!! Been a pack fan for a long time back to the Jimmy V days!!! Looking forward to restoring the wildness at the RBC the way it used to be at Reynolds…The Pack is Back baby!!!!!!!!!!!