Marshall speaks on Leitao, LeBron

Since a disappointing exit from the NBA playoffs, the million-dollar question has been LeBron James’ state of mind, and whether or not the Cleveland Cavaliers’ superstar will sign a contract extension or bolts next summer.

On Wednesday at John Paul Jones Arena, there was a guy on hand who probably has some idea of James’ intentions. Cavaliers forward Donyell Marshall was working at the NBA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville.

“I don’t know,” said Marshall, when asked if he thought James would leave Cleveland in 2010. “That’s something that, being his friend, I’m not going to answer because it’s not fair for me to sit up here and judge.”

Marshall, a 15-year NBA veteran and former UConn star, was actually recruited by former Virginia coach Dave Leitao, then an assistant for the Huskies. Marshall said Leitao has been laying low since resigning under pressure in March.

“We’re still close,” Marshall said. “When I landed, I told him I was down here, but I think he’s on vacation with his family right now.”

Marshall wishes Leitao had gotten a little more time to turn things around.

“You know, it’s difficult here,” he said. “It’s a very good school and you’re going up against North Carolina and Duke and Maryland, who are all like within three hours of each other. It’s hard to recruit, especially when you don’t have a great history. I mean, they have a decent history, but not great.

“If you’re getting recruited here, you’re probably getting recruited by other schools in the ACC, too. If you look at history and whatever, you’re probably going to go with the history part.”

Marshall said Charlottesville may have never seen the true Leitao.

“A lot of times, people only look at what a coach is like when he’s coaching on the court,” Marshall said. “If I’m coaching you and trying to get the best out of you, I’m going to yell at you and scream or whatever.

“You look at [UConn coach Jim Calhoun] and see what he does. I look back and say, ‘I can’t believe I played for him.’”

Marshall says he and Leitao are cut from the same cloth.

“We got into it a couple of times,” said Marshall, laughing, “but there was a reason why we are still close and still talk. Our wives are very good friends and our kids play together and talk all the time.

“Off the court, he’s like the big brother I never had.”

Which is sort of the role that Marshall is undertaking at camp this week. Marshall and a host of fellow pros are working with some of the top high school prospects in the nation and give them tips that are aimed to not only help them on the court, but off of it.

After all, not everyone can be King James.

Speaking of the King, Marshall believes that when it’s all said and done, James — no matter what city he winds up playing in — will be in the same conversation with any of the all-time greats, including Michael Jordan.

“I think if you look at where they were at the same age, LeBron’s right there,” Marshall said. “He’s 24 and Jordan didn’t win his championship yet.”