C.J. Leslie, a prospect believed high on Kentucky’s recruiting wish list, will have a strong presence in the Derby Festival Basketball Classic even if he won’t play in the game.
Leslie is not playing in Saturday’s Derby Festival game. But his coach at Raleigh, N.C.-based Word of God Academy, Erasto Hatchett, is one of the coaches.
And Hatchett’s brother, Ryan Harrow, is one of the players in the game. Harrow is also one of Leslie’s best friends.
Hatchett said that Leslie tentatively planned to announce his college choice at the Jordan Brand Game in New York City on April 17. Although the coach also noted that Leslie might announce the choice earlier than that or, perhaps, someimt after the game.
“He’s just weighing his options,” Hatchett said.
Leslie, a former high school teammate of UK All-American John Wall, is considering UCLA, Connecticut and N.C. State as well as Kentucky.
According to recruiting circles, Leslie has made many unofficial visits to nearby N.C. State.
When asked what influence he might have on Leslie’s decision, Harrow said, “He says he wants to play with me all the time. I guess that’s as good an influence as you can get.
“But it’s always up to C.J. We just want what’s best for him.”
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
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[...] Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader has an update on C.J. Leslie: Hatchett said that Leslie tentatively planned to announce his college choice at the Jordan Brand Game in New York City on April 17. Although the coach also noted that Leslie might announce the choice earlier than that or, perhaps, someimt after the game. [...]