Associated Press
RALEIGH ó North Carolina State forward C.J. Leslie said Wednesday heís comfortable with playing for new coach Mark Gottfried next season.
Leslie said he has met several times with Gottfried to learn more about the coach and his style of play. Those conversations went well enough that Leslie decided to return for his sophomore season instead of entering his name into the NBA draft.
ěWe talked about what he could do for me if I came back another year,î Leslie said. ěWe never had a conversation about the NBA or whether he thought I was ready or whether he thought I should go or not. It was more, ëIf you stay, this is what I can do for you and this is how itís going to go.íî
The 6-foot-8 forward was second on the team in scoring at 11 points per game and led the Wolfpack with seven rebounds. He was part of a heralded recruiting class that was supposed to help N.C. State return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006, but the Wolfpack finished with a losing record and Sidney Lowe resigned after five seasons.
Leslie said his decision to return was more about feeling comfortable with the new coaching staff than where he wouldíve been picked if he had entered the draft. He said Gottfried wants him to play both inside and on the perimeter, including improving his range to become a more consistent 3-point shooting threat.
ěEach conversation got better,î Leslie said. ěI had a better understanding and it was more of getting to know each other a little bit more each time we talked. … I feel very comfortable.î.