Robert Jurkovic didn’t need long to explain why NC State felt right. The European big man pointed first to the staff’s approach, then to the way the Wolfpack presented the opportunity, and he said that combination made the move across the Atlantic an easy one to embrace.
“They were really involved. Every time we wanted to get on Zoom, they were like, “Yeah, let’s set it up. When does it work for you?””
“We’ve had talks. The energy that I felt from not just Coach Gainey but the whole staff, and how they presented it all, just felt really, really great.”
Jurkovic is settling into life in the United States as he prepares for the 2026-27 season, and he says the adjustment has gone beyond basketball. The food, the culture and the daily routine have all been different, but he feels he’s handled the change well.
“It’s definitely been a pretty big adjustment. A whole different culture, different foods, different everything.
But I think I’ve adjusted pretty well. I’ve gotten into the rhythm, and I’ll just go up from here.”
As for American food, Jurkovic kept it light.
“I like most of the food. I wouldn’t say it’s better than back home. Please don’t hate me, people.”
On the court, the biggest change has been pace. Jurkovic said the game in Gainey’s program moves faster than what he was used to overseas, where possessions are more deliberate and structured.
“I feel the biggest transition and the biggest difference is the speed of play. I feel the speed of play here is a lot quicker.
We want to get up and down the floor a lot quicker than in Europe. We kind of get over half court, set up a system and then play.”
That quicker tempo is part of what NC State is asking of him, but Jurkovic also believes his own game fits the frontcourt well. He described himself as someone who can think the game at a high level, knock down shots and stretch the floor from the big spot, while also bringing the kind of perspective that comes from experience.
“I would say I have a pretty high basketball IQ. I have a good jump shot, so I can stretch the floor from the big spot, and just a kind of veteran perspective, I guess. I don’t know how to phrase it better.”
Between the staff’s outreach, the fast-moving style and the chance to use his skill set in a new setting, Jurkovic found plenty to like about NC State. Now the focus is on continuing to settle in and building from there.
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