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.
In Other News...
Florida State Has A Chance To Make A Real ACC Statement Tonight
Florida State gets a timely chance to say something real about itself tonight, with Louisville coming in for an ACC matchup that should tell a lot about where both teams stand. The Seminoles are looking for a win that would clean up the picture around their record, and the game sets up as a good test of whether their offense can keep pace against a Cardinals team built to make noise.
Ashton Daniels is a key part of that equation for Florida State, especially against a Louisville defense that will be trying to force the Seminoles into mistakes. On the other side, Louisville brings an explosive offense and there are injury factors in play for both sides, which only adds to the volatility. The expectation is a close, high-scoring game, and for Florida State, the bigger question is whether this is the night it can turn a solid opportunity into a meaningful ACC statement. [Read more 🡒]
Florida States Pregame Lineup Shakeup Just Changed A Few Key Battles
Florida States trip to Louisville already had plenty of intrigue, and the pregame picture added a little more to it. The Seminoles will be in all-white at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, while Louisville goes with black, with Jon Noli serving as head referee and NFL scouts along with bowl representatives expected on hand for a game that carries real weight beyond the immediate matchup.
The bigger development for Florida State came with an updated depth chart that shuffled several positional battles and brought a few players back into the mix. Those changes matter because they hint at how the Seminoles want to line up for one of the seasons more closely watched tests, and they could shape both the rotation and the feel of the game from the opening series onward. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Gets A Late Break Before Urgent Louisville Road Test
Florida State is heading into a tricky league road test at Louisville with the availability picture shifting late in the week. The Seminoles and Cardinals are set for their third conference game of the 2026 season, and both sides enter with heavy absences, leaving coaches to sort through a long list of unavailable players before the 7 p.m. ET kickoff.
The good news for Florida State is that the final reports brought a little relief, with some players who had been listed out now expected to suit up. Louisville is still working around its own injury issues, though, and the biggest name on that side remains running back Keyjuan Brown, who will not play. In a game where depth already figures to matter, those late availability changes could end up shaping how this one unfolds. [Read more 🡒]