C.J. Leslie had just finished one of his most impressive performances in perhaps the biggest game of his career. The N.C. State forward just threw down 25 points and added five assists against No.1 Duke and helped his team to an 84-76 win.
But he didn’t look for his parents, or kiss the closest cheerleader, or even thump his chest and pop his jersey.
Instead, Leslie saw a fellow student in need and provided his biggest assist of the day.
Wolfpack fans stormed the court after the win, including wheelchair-bound Will Privette, who was pushed onto the court in the first wave of fans.
As anyone who has ever stormed a court knows, there isn’t a lot of room, there’s even less order and structure, and there’s almost no chance of escape once you’re sucked into the maelstrom.
Which is where Privette quickly found himself.
Privette knew it was the “dumbest thing” he’d do in college, and he also knew it was probably actually pretty dangerous. But he wasn’t about to let his wheelchair get in the way of celebrating a big win. After all, he may be the Wolfpack’s biggest fan, as he thinks he’s missed just one home game in his college career – and he’s set to graduate in May.
So he rushes the court. Heads to the middle of the court – and gets toppled. He’s on the floor, out of his chair, with his phone in his hand.
Star of the game Leslie saw him, immediately started telling fans to “Get back, get back,” and then picked up the stricken Privette.
C.J. Leslie helps Will Privette off the floor after N.C. State's 84-76 win against No. 1 Duke. (Oliver Sholder photo)
“He picked me up and I’ve described it as like how you’d hold a baby,” Privette told USA Today. “Once I realized I wasn’t in trouble any more, I started to scream, like ‘Wooooo! Let’s go!’ C.J. held me for a little bit because we lost my wheelchair in the sea of people. He held me for a couple of minutes. I was screaming and yelling.
“I patted him on the head and said, ‘Thank you.’ Then he put me in my chair, and the PNC Arena staff escorted me off the court to safety. After the game, I waited around for C.J. to say, ‘Thank you, thank you for helping — saving my life, really.’
“It was the dumbest thing I’ve done in college but it was awesome.”
The pair went on NBC’s “Today” show a few days later, and Leslie recounted it from his view:
“I was celebrating, but luckily enough I looked down and saw him there,” he said. “I thought ‘Oh, wow, you have to save him, you’ve gotta do something about this.
“I was originally just going to put him back in his chair, but when he got in my arms he started cheering. So I was like ‘Oh, wow,’ and I started cheering with him. It was a good three-four minutes when he was just in my arms and we were cheering together. After that I had to put him down, though, because my arms were getting a little tired!”
