WATCH: Jordan Snell: “He’s the best in the business”

Walk-On Guard Jordan Snell met with the media last Monday prior to NC State’s first 2025-26 Men’s Basketball practice. You can watch the video above, and read the transcript below.

What’s the biggest difference culturally from last year to this year?

I think it’s just the physical and mental requirement every single day. Another thing that’s different…we’ve had good chemistry in the past, but this team, the guys that came in…no ego, top to bottom. When you have guys like Darrion (Williams), Q (Quadir Copeland) and Tre (Hollomann) that have no ego…they’re talented…they’re valid in college basketball…they’re cemented…When they have no ego, it’s easy for the guys that come in like Matt (Able) or Scottie (Ebube)…they have no ego…then the whole team is working in one accord.

We’re together every day all day, it seems like. Since the beginning of June, we’ve done a lot of tough things, but going through that together, it’s really brought us super close, and we’re together every day.

I think that’s the difference, is the culture. The culture wasn’t bad at all. It’s just a different culture, and I think it’s more demanding physically and mentally.

Coach talks about how you are just as essential and one of the most key leaders on this team. What does it mean for you that a new coach comes in and instantly sees the level of value that you have on this team?

I mean, that’s huge. Obviously, I don’t have to deal with the pressure and expectations, so it’s easy for me. My main goal is to serve these guys, work hard in practice, be low maintenance, and try to help them reach their goals.

When he says that about me, it makes me feel great, but he’s also done a lot for me. He makes me feel just as important as the top guys on the team…everybody on the team that’s getting a lot of money…and when he does that, it just makes me want to go harder and do even more for the people that have done more for me.

Ever since the beginning of May when he got here, it’s been amazing. He’s made it super easy on me, and it’s big to hear that from him. It just means that all my work is paying off.

A lot of the players talk about how much Coach actually gets to know the players, how much he knows your family, your stories, what you’re going through, what you’re struggling with. How is he strong at that, and how do you feel like he manages to do that with every player?

I don’t know. He’s got some special powers. He knew everything about me.

We do our little interview. He knew where I lived, members of my family, what they did. He knows our managers, where they went to high school, their high school stats.

He knows everything. I think that just shows how much he cares for us, not only as players, but as people. He’s going to be tough on us on the court, but as soon as practice is over, we’re in the lounge, he’s talking to us like he’s our uncle.

It’s amazing. He’s the best in the business.