As most regular readers know, SFN has hinted at this development since January, but now that Dave Telep is bringing it into the public domain (note – this is a premium article, so we won’t post any content), we can be more explicit. CJ Leslie has re-opened his commitment, and is no longer an NC State verbal.
We have definitely heard that Memphis will be heavily involved. I have lamented that April 11, 2006 was the day that NC State’s basketball program died, after many years on life support. That was the day John Calipari, arguably the perfect coach for NC State, said no. Go ahead, re-read the Dan Wetzel article we linked and try not to slit your wrists.
And Calipari is the gift that keeps on giving for NC State. Despite self-serving and transparently jealous/defense mechanism comments from some calling Calipari a “thug” or a guy who could only get his players in at Memphis – please note we are fishing from the same waters. DeMarcus Cousins, probably John Wall, and now maybe CJ Leslie. The only difference is that Calipari actually wins these recruiting battles. Does anyone have any doubt who would have come out on top if Calipari was at NC State, and Lowe at Memphis? Didn’t think so.
Now, it’s important to note what this does not mean. We have not been told that Leslie has definitely decided to go elsewhere. He maystill end up at NC State. But publicly de-committing is a very, very bad omen for Sidney Lowe and the health of his program entering the crucial 2009-10 season.
As far as the timing is concerned, we were told that CJ would re-open his commitment at the end of the basketball season. This weekend, he made good on what we were told he would do.
Link with audio comments about the situation from Dave Telep.
