The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/89497
BKB PREVIEW 12-13 C.J. Leslie 5 ■ F from a great athlete with raw talent to a dominant basketball player. The next step for him is to become a more reliable free throw shooter and dominate his matchup at power forward all season. If he does, he could be a Player of the Year candidate in the ACC. Career Highlights: Played in 34 games and started 29 as a sophomore Analysis: In the last 10-15 games of the 2011-12 season, Leslie matured Jr. • Holly Springs, N.C. • 6-9 • 200 … Was named second-team All-ACC and first-team All-ACC Tournament … Averaged a double-double of 17.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in the league tourney … Led NCSU in scoring average (14.7 points) and blocked shots (54) … One of three conference players to finish in the top 10 in the league in scoring, field goal percentage and rebounding … Notched eight double- doubles … Had a career-high 24 points against UNC in the RBC Center … Started 23 games and played in 30 as a rookie … Was one of just two State players to average double-digits in scoring that year … Was second on the team in scoring (11.0 points per game) and first in rebounding (7.2 an outing) and blocks (39 for the season) … Finished eighth in the ACC in boards per game … Named to the ACC All-Freshman team after finishing third in scoring in ACC-only games among rookies (12.1 points a contest) and second in rebounding (6.2 per outing) … Had three double-doubles, including 14 points and a career-high 19 rebounds against Youngstown State … As a prep senior, played in the McDonald's All-American and Jordan Clas- sic all-star games, generally considered the two most prestigious postseason events in high school basketball … Selected to the second-team Parade All-American squad … Rated by Rivals.com as a five-star prospect and the No. 14 player in the country. Coach's Corner: "I think he is an extremely difficult player to guard at 15 feet or really 10 feet and in with his quickness. We saw that last year when a lot of bigger kids that tried to guard him; they had a hard time containing him. " — Head coach Mark Gottfried. 2010-11 30-23 24.6 2011-12 34-29 29.0 Year Personal: Majoring in Africana studies. STATISTICS 7.2 7.3 G-GS MPG PPG RPG BPG FG% 3FG% FT% 11.0 14.7 1.3 1.6 43.3 52.5 25.0 28.6 advice is to be patient and realize college is a different life and you are going to make mistakes. Favorite past athlete at NC State? David Thompson. What athlete at NC State do you enjoy watching? I haven't seen Carlos Rodon pitch, but I know he's good and from Holly Springs. Who is your closest friend on another college basketball team? Ian Miller of Florida State. Who is your favorite actor or actress? Denzel Washington. Who would you like to see in concert? Meek Mill. What's something different you'd like to do at NC State? I want Favorite player to watch growing up? Michael Jordan or Len Bias. Best dresser on the team? Myself. What advice would you give to a high school senior? The best Ten Questions With C.J. Leslie With The Pack? He's crazy. I don't think anyone on the team could have done that. That took guts. to throw out the first pitch at a baseball game. Initial reaction to coach Mark Gottfried zip lining at Primetime 54.2 59.6 PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 50 ■ THE WOLFPACKER