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Report: DeShawn Painter to transfer out of NC State, closer to home

NCAA Basketball Tournament - North Carolina State v Georgetown

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 18: DeShawn Painter #0 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack shoots over Nate Lubick #34 of the Georgetown Hoyas during the third round of the 2012 NCAA Men’s basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 18, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

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CJ Leslie’s decision in regards to his NBA Draft status just got that much more important.

Reserve big man DeShawn Painter, who averaged 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 20 minutes-per-game last season, is reportedly leaving NC State to transfer closer to his Norfolk, VA, home. Painter has a sick family member. Old Dominion is one potential destination that has been named.

Losing Painter means that Mark Gottfried’s team will be dreadfully thing up front even with Leslie back in the mix. Getting back 7-foot-1 center Jordan Vandenburg will help, as will getting an offseason’s worth of training under sophomore-to-be Tyler Harris’ belt. But NC State is an early favorite in the ACC next season with the recruiting class they have coming in given Leslie’s return. Without him, however, Gottfriend will have to rely heavily on Richard Howell in the paint.

More importantly, we wish the Painter family all of the best. There are some things that are more important that basketball.

Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @robdauster.