C.J. Leslie returning for his junior year at N.C. State is great news for the Wolfpack, its fans and coach Mark Gottfried. It's terrific for next year's prospects as well.
But it's even better for Leslie.
Leslie's trek from a raggedly-skilled freshman who seriously needed a basic course in Hoops 101 to a maturing young man has been a fascinating one. And it's to Leslie's credit he's made this decision.
The long-armed 6-foot-9 forward likely would have been a first-round pick this summer had he bolted, especially if it was all just about basketball. But in his case, it wasn't just about hoops and his unique potential. It was about questions regarding his attitude, character and the degree of risk a team would execute in drafting Leslie.
Gottfried began calling Leslie by his actual first name, Calvin, after getting the job a year ago, replacing Sidney Lowe, who did Leslie few favors in how he was handled on and off the court. Gottfried humbled him some, showing Leslie just enough tough love and the occasional hug he needed. Because of that, he began to realize he could trust the new coach.
And as Leslie's faith and acceptance for all things Gottfried increased, his game on the court improved.
Shot selection, the use of the dribble, passing, how to crash the boards, defense, on-court demeanor, school and developing more of a long-term view of basketball and life and how they co-exist, are all areas the staff targeted to help Leslie improve.
The C.J. Leslie most NBA teams would consider drafting might have come with an asterisk: If the improved attitude teams saw over the final six weeks of this past season are who the Holly Springs, NC, has become, then taking a flyer on him would have a high reward. However, the fear of most teams is that Leslie would soon slip into the frame that initially made him a high-risk prospect.
In returning to school, Leslie acknowledges that he understands those realities. It's clear whatever handlers he has, they are either on board or Leslie isn't listening to them. Greedy and misguided handlers are often the ones who steer so many young men out of college well before they should leave, and the players usually pay a price in the end.
Leslie has not only placed a priority on getting one more year of college education under his belt -- which in and of itself will add a few more layers of personal development -- but he also recognizes he must show NBA scouts the new and improved C.J. Leslie is the real deal.
Not only should his scoring and rebounding averages of 14.7 and 7.3 increase quite a bit, but he has a chance to lead this proud Wolfpack program that reached the Sweet 16 last month to an ACC title and deep run into the NCAA tournament.
Leslie can prove to scouts he has grown up, that he's expanded his game, displaying a better understanding of how to play and prove he's capable of leading a winner.
Check, check, check.
That's what NBA teams want to see the most in whom they target.
It's not often players have a full year to showcase their development, especially in personal areas of intangibles like maturity. But Leslie has that chance. And if his on-court game -- which still needs plenty of work, but is clearly on the right track -- is good enough for him to go in the first round, just imagine how high a baggage-free Leslie may go in the 2013 draft.
Rejoice, Wolfpack fans. Next season may be the time to supplant those hated Tar Heels and Blue Devils atop the ACC. And breathe easy, coach Gottfried. Your star-studded freshman class, which already had a nice crop of players returning to guide them, has perhaps next season's top player in the ACC coming back to school. You should have yourself a top-10 team.
And congratulations to Leslie. Everything about his game and who he is will flourish even more next season, and he should reap greater benefits down the road. The ACC is glad to have him back.
