The news that N.C. State sophomore forward C.J. Leslie will return to campus next year is good for the Wolfpack and bad for everyone else in the ACC.
“He could be the ACC Player of the Year next year,” one ACC assistant coach told SNY.tv.
Leslie averaged 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds last season as N.C. State made the NCAA Tournament under first-year coach Mark Gottfried for the first time since 2006. There, they beat San Diego State and Georgetown before losing to Kansas in the Sweet 16.
“After talking this over with my family, we have decided it would best for me to return for my junior year,” Leslie said. “I’m on track to graduate, which is important to me and my family, and I’m excited about building on what the team accomplished last season. There are parts of my game I want to continue to work on and take more of a leadership role with the team.”
N.C. State lost forward DeShawn Painter to ODU but returns a core of Leslie, junior forward Richard Howell, sophomore point guard Lorenzo Brown and junior forward Scott Wood.
The Pack also bring in three McDonald’s All-American guards/wings in Rodney Purvis, Tyler Lewis and T.J. Warren.
N.C. State is also alive for Amile Jefferson of Philly Friends Central.
Photo: N.C. State Athletics
