Robert Jurkovic didn’t need long to explain what has changed since leaving Europe for NC State. The first adjustment came off the court - a new country, new food and a new routine - and then the basketball side hit just as hard.
“The biggest difference is the speed of play,” Jurkovic said. In his view, the game at NC State moves much faster than what he was used to overseas. The Wolfpack want to push the ball and play with tempo, while the European game he described is more deliberate, with teams getting across half court and settling into their offense.
That shift has been part of the learning curve, but Jurkovic said he has settled in well overall. He described the move to the United States as “a pretty big adjustment,” though he added that he has already found his rhythm and expects to keep building from there.
Even the food has been part of the acclimation process. Jurkovic said he likes most American food, but he made it clear he’s not ready to crown it above what he had back home: “I wouldn’t say it’s better than back home. Please don’t hate me, people.”
On the floor, Jurkovic believes his game fits what NC State needs. He pointed to his basketball IQ, his shooting touch and his ability to space the floor from the big spot as the traits that can help the Wolfpack’s frontcourt. He also sees value in the experience he brings from playing in Europe, calling it a “veteran perspective.”
The reason he chose NC State, though, started with how the staff handled the recruitment. Jurkovic said Justin Gainey and the Wolfpack coaches stayed heavily involved and made the process feel easy from the beginning. He pointed to the communication, the Zoom sessions and the way the staff presented the program as major factors in his decision.
“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.”
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Baileys showing against Louisville added weight to an ACC race that suddenly feels more open at the position, especially with other starters dealing with setbacks or changes on the depth chart. He now carries that momentum into NC States next stretch, and with Wake Forest coming to Raleigh, the Wolfpack have a chance to see whether his recent play is the start of something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]