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DEL.ICIO.USColumbia basketball standout Leslie commits to Georgia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Georgia’s amazing run to the SEC basketball championship and a chance to stay close to home made Columbia standout Travis Leslie commit to the Bulldogs for next season. He is expected to sign during the second basketball signing period in April.
The 6-foot-5 forward was one of the top unsigned seniors in the state after helping Columbia win its second Class AAAA title in three years.
“The SEC championship played a big role in me wanting to go there,” Leslie said. “I was surprised they won it, but they fought through a lot. They showed a lot of heart, and I want to keep the winning going. I think I can help them out.”
In three years on the varsity, Leslie helped Columbia to a 96-6 record and three consecutive appearances in the finals. This season, he averaged 21.1 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field. He likely will play small forward while developing his ball-handling skills and outside shot.
At Columbia, he played with Georgia center Jeremy Price.
“Jeremy and I are extremely close,” said Leslie, who chose Georgia over Clemson. “He has been trying to get me to come up there since he got there. It just felt like home because I have several classmates at Columbia up there.”
Virginia Leslie, Travis’ mother, said she is pleased that her son will be playing close to home.
“I asked him not to go too far,” she said. “I’m real excited about the opportunity. He still has colleges calling, but I’m hopeful he will stick with it.”
Columbia guard Kenny Mitchell committed to Charleston Southern, giving Columbia three potential Division I signees. Center Darrius Morrow, a 6-foot-9, 250-pounder, signed with South Carolina in November.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball, UGA
Comments
By De Shabazzzz
March 25, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
First……College hoops on the rebound…Tech should be improved as well.
Now we need to keep the Hawks moving. May make the playoffs…but what a joke - 9 games under and making playoffs.
By Andrew
March 25, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
First
Sweet we are getting good players now. Watch out SEC
By MarkyMark
March 25, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
1st?
By Mark W. King
March 25, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Coach Felton seems to be a very good man with strong principles. I hope good news such as this keeps coming his way.
By Andrew
March 25, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
First
Sweet we are getting good players now. Watch out SEC
By So what
March 25, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Great another kid who can stop going to class and get kicked off the team by his Sophomore year.
By JustMe
March 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Yes - go to ugay and learn “How many points is a 3-point-shot worth?” LOL. Wasn’t that a question on a final exam for the players?
By JustMe
March 25, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Yes - go to ugay and learn “How many points is a 3-point-shot worth?” LOL. Wasn’t that a question on a final exam for the players?
By JustMe
March 25, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Yes - go to ugay and learn “How many points is a 3-point-shot worth?” LOL. Wasn’t that a question on a final exam for the players?
By Real Fan
March 25, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Travis can really ball, I watched Columbia the last couple years, he kind of remind me of brewer that played at UF.. Way to go rep the eastside down in Athens…
By Jim S.
March 25, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
I’m glad this young man has chosen to play in Athens. Coach Felton has been strict with his players, which I hope will lead to many of them obtaining degrees. As far as JustMe’s comments, it is clear that he is referring to the past coaching staff and some of the more embarassing moments from that regime. Coach Felton has turned the page on that nonsense and is building a program with young men of character who are aware that the coach and the institution have considerable expectations for them both on and off the court. As far as the gay bashing he does, well, let’s just say Methinks thou protesteth too much!
By Real Fan
March 25, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Travis can really ball, I watched Columbia the last couple years, he kind of remind me of brewer that played at UF.. Way to go rep the eastside down in Athens…
By boots
March 25, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Yes! Go Dawgs! Travis, glad to see you coming to Athens. You will have a great four years there.
By AltamahaDawg
March 25, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Just me, laughing out loud at himself for coming up with such a clever burn from 6 yrs ago. uh huh.
By milledgevilledawg
March 25, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Felton still can’t recruit for nuthin’.
He’s only gonna end up signing the third and 11th best player in the state, which is inexcusable for a flagship university that’s 45 minutes away from one of the 2 or 3 best basketball playing cities in the country.
I don’t know if it’s lethargy or arrogance or what. The man can’t recruit to save his life. It’s sad.
I still say he needs to go. We need a coach who’s actually motivated enough to get out there and recruit the top players from atlanta and stop trying to win with a roster primarily consisting of mid-major prospects.
By milledgevilledawg
March 25, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Felton still can’t recruit for nuthin’.
He’s only gonna end up signing the third and 11th best player in the state, which is inexcusable for a flagship university that’s 45 minutes away from one of the 2 or 3 best basketball playing cities in the country.
I don’t know if it’s lethargy or arrogance or what. The man can’t recruit to save his life. It’s sad.
I still say he needs to go. We need a coach who’s actually motivated enough to get out there and recruit the top players from atlanta and stop trying to win with a roster primarily consisting of mid-major prospects.
By Eric
March 25, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Or he could go to school wherever JustMe went and learn how to triple post the same message. Please learn how to reply to a blog first before showing just how ignorant you really are.
Tavis sounds like a great addition to the team and his commitment could be a start of something very good for the Dawgs.
By milledgevilledawg
March 25, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Felton still can’t recruit for nuthin’.
He’s only gonna end up signing the third and 11th best player in the state, which is inexcusable for a flagship university that’s 45 minutes away from one of the 2 or 3 best basketball playing cities in the country.
I don’t know if it’s lethargy or arrogance or what. The man can’t recruit to save his life. It’s sad.
I still say he needs to go. We need a coach who’s actually motivated enough to get out there and recruit the top players from atlanta and stop trying to win with a roster primarily consisting of mid-major prospects.
By AfroDawg
April 1, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
This young man is exactly the kind of recruit Georgia needs, he’s an athlete first. Contrary to what some people think, Felton can coach, especially if he has someone who can physically do what’s asked of him. Why sign a kid who’s going to bolt for the NBA mirage as soon as he has his first 25 point game?