Robert Jurkovic looks ‘As Advertised’ in his first practice (+ GM Patrick Stacy breakdown)

The 6’10 Slovenian forward landed in Raleigh yesterday and looked the part in his first practice, knocking down perimeter jumpers and showing off his back-to-the-basket scoring ability.

 

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Here is a limited look at Robert’s first day, but you can take a good deal from it.

His form from 3 looks pure. At 6’10, that’s a real clean-looking release that won’t take long to get off.

The other big takeaway was from watching his post-attack on Kyle Evans (in the video above).

He shows some good physicality on the initial back down. To get deeper, he pump-fakes and makes initial contact with Evans to try to get him off balance. He then attacks to the middle, forcing Evans to cut off that attack, leaving him a little space to get deeper to the right block where he can get a better look. His spin back to the middle is made with force, initiating contact and forcing the shot-blocker Evans, to wall up and brace for that contact. Before Evans can recover, Jurkovic is already up with his baby hook over top.

It’s just one play, but Kyle Evans is an elite shot blocker, and that little package Jurk put on him was patient, strategic and tough. That leads us to our next point…

Jurkovic is seasoned. He doesn’t have a steep learning curve as a 24-year-old who has played serious competition the past few years.

In the 2024-25 AdmiralBet ABA League season with Krka (his team), he appeared in 28 games, averaging 6.3 points and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 57.3% from the field and a strong 43.2% from three-point range in 14.6 minutes per game. This is a league that is widely regarded as one of the better leagues in Europe outside the top-tier EuroLeague (mostly pros/ex-college guys).

This season with Ilirija (a new team in a lower division), Jurković has taken on a larger role, posting approximately 10.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while shooting around 56% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc.

At 6’10 with good mobility and a solid frame, Jurković projects as a stretch forward who can score effectively inside with good efficiency, knock down perimeter shots, and bring frontcourt versatility. His multiple years of professional experience against older, stronger competition should help him adapt quickly to the physicality of the ACC.

Here is what NC State GM Patrick Stacy had to say about him yesterday…

“Really good shooter. He was a 40% (3-point shooter) this year as well. Not as much volume, maybe 2 or 3 attempts per game. Really efficient around the basket despite not having, I wouldn’t say ‘limited-vertical pop’, but he’s not an above-the-rim player. But close to 70% at the rim this season. Really good in terms of short-role playmaking. He’s got a really good feel. Someone, in the ABA this year, was one of the most efficient players in the league. (Lists a bunch of pro/college players)…It was a proven league. Definitely someone we have high expectations for, and he can play the 4 or the 5.  He offers a little bit of everything to the front court. Great timing and understanding of the game defensively. He led the team in blocks over there. Robert is going to be a big-time piece.”f