Catching a quick glimpse of Technician photo editor Alex Sanchez’s post on Facebook saying, “THANK YOU CJ,” just sent the adrenaline pumping in my body. My first reaction was if that meant what I thought it did. Then started an extensive search on Google before multiple Twitter posts confirmed the news I had been waiting for: sophomore forward C.J. Leslie was returning for his junior season. As the minutes wore on, I saw a social media explosion as Wolfpack nation came together to celebrate a player who has been the most influential in putting the Pack back on the College Basketball map.
Coming into N.C. State as a part of former coach Sidney Lowe’s last recruiting class, Leslie was ranked a five-star prospect and ranked No. 11 in the nation by ESPN, with McDonalds All-American and Jordan Brand Classic honors to boot. With such credentials, the Holly Springs native was expected to have a huge impact on the Pack. However, Leslie had minimal influence on the Pack as he average 11.0 points a game shooting .433 on the field. With criticism of a sub-par attitude, only the most ardent Leslie supporters would expect him to turn into the messiah-like figure he currently is for the Pack.
Following NCAA investigations that revealed he had been given impermissible benefits, Leslie started his sophomore season on perhaps the worst note ever, spending the first three games riding the bench. It proved to be the wake-up call Leslie needed, as he bounced back with 20 points in a loss to Vanderbilt, setting the ball rolling in one of the best seasons the Pack has endured in recent years.
As the season went by, one could see Leslie transform from a boy to a man, yet much was left to be desired from the 6-8 forward as he struggled for consistency. He registered only three points against N.C. Central, zero against Wake Forest and just nine in the rivalry game against UNC in Chapel Hill. As the Pack hit the business end of the season playing Duke, FSU and UNC in a span of six days, Leslie answered the call of the Pack and performed when it mattered the most. Despite having 20 plus point games in losses against FSU and UNC, Leslie rallied the team as the Pack won the last two games of the season. They moved in to the ACC tournament, needing to win it all to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Leslie didn’t disappoint as consecutive double-doubles versus BC and Virginia, and a strong showing against UNC ensured the Pack qualified for the NCAA tournament, with Leslie named on the All-ACC tournament team.
Leslie’s form has been phenomenal over the last 10 games, averaging 19 points per game, 9.1 rebounds and scoring 18 points in the sweet sixteen loss to Kansas where the Pack almost sneaked in at the expense of the Jayhawks. He has ensured the Pack starts as one of the pre-season favorites going into the next season with most analysts hinging the Pack’s ACC chances on Leslie’s then-impending decision to declare for the NBA. But now that Leslie has made the choice, Pack fans can breathe easy.
With ESPN placing Pack on seventh position in the pre-season ranking and as a potential fourth seed in the NCAA tournament, the going hasn’t been this good for the Pack since the glory days of Jim Valvano.
With a stellar recruiting class consisting of Rodney Purvis, Tyler Lewis and T.J. Warren to go along with the return of Scott Wood, Richard Howell and the best point-guard in the ACC Lorenzo Brown, the Pack looks poised for greatness. Leslie, the most important piece in the puzzle, finds himself as the pre-season ACC player of the year in most people’s opinions.
No matter who you are and what sport you follow, if you love the Pack, you should know something really big is going to happen next season. And who knows, an ACC championship and possible third national championship may grace Raleigh this time next year.
