Maturing And Making Things Happen
January 10, 2023 | Men's Basketball, Joel Coleman
Will McNair, Jr. is benefiting the Bulldogs in multiple ways.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State had just polished off a big victory over Ole Miss on Saturday when Will McNair, Jr. and MSU head coach Chris Jans had a brief moment together on the court.
"He said, 'We're back,'" McNair shared of the interaction. "It felt good to be back in the win column."
It was an incredibly sweet triumph. The Bulldogs snapped out of a tough stretch by topping their instate rival to reestablish momentum. All of it happened in large part thanks to a standout performance from McNair.
Starting center Tolu Smith found himself in foul trouble. The Dawgs needed a lift. McNair provided it off the bench leading the Bulldogs with a season-high 13 points and seven rebounds.
It was a fitting reward for a young man who has been such a huge part of Jans' first State squad.
"Will means a lot to me and I'm proud of him," Jans said postgame. "I know what he's capable of…Will stepped up. He was in a tough spot in terms of, he knew this was his moment. This was his time. He took advantage of it."
It's easy to see and appreciate a player's efforts when it shows up on the stat sheet. What you might not fully grasp though is just how big of a piece McNair has been for MSU in areas that have nothing to do with gameday production. And it started with the decision he made last spring to head to Starkville.
Joining Jans
Late last March, Jans was hired as MSU's new men's basketball coach after spending five years at New Mexico State. The last four of those seasons, McNair was along for the ride.
The big man from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, went across the country to Las Cruces to play for Jans, as well as assistant coaches David Anwar and James Miller, both of whom ultimately became Bulldogs with Jans.
When Jans, Anwar and Miller headed to Mississippi, McNair wasn't far behind. McNair felt so tied to the staff, he wanted to finish what he started with them. He committed to MSU less than a month after Jans was hired.
"The biggest part was loyalty," McNair said of his choice to come to Mississippi State with his coaches. "They took a chance on me coming out of high school. A lot of people weren't willing to take that chance and they did. I felt like I owed them a lot of loyalty for getting me right where I am today."
It bears noting, the opportunity to be a Bulldog wasn't just some courtesy offer thrown out by Jans and company to a longtime player. Quite the contrary. Jans was putting together a talented roster. He knew McNair, a guy who'd consistently improved every season of his career at New Mexico State, could be a tremendous help at MSU.
Sure, there were added benefits given McNair's prior relationship with Jans, Anwar and Miller. But there was so much more.
"When we decided to offer Will a scholarship at Mississippi State, it was more about what he could bring to the table on the floor," Jans said. "It wasn't about, 'Hey, we need to bring in someone that can help us [connect with] the [other] players.' That really wasn't the motive for why Will McNair is a member of the Mississippi State basketball team. I think he adds value, like any other potential recruit. That's how we looked at it."
And provide value, McNair has both on the floor and off.
Big Man Doing Big Things
At just under seven feet and around 265 pounds, McNair is a big presence physically. But he's just as big for the Bulldogs in other areas.
"You'd have to be around us every day to understand what he does for our program," Jans said. "He's like a coach on the bench. He's like a coach on the floor. He knows each and everyone's responsibilities and it's not just because he's played for us [for a long time]. I would say he's that way regardless because the way we're defending [now] is different than how we've defended in the past…He picks things up pretty quickly, he's got a high basketball IQ and he's a great teammate."
McNair relishes his role. He's willing to help everyone. Frontcourt guy? Backcourt player? It doesn't matter. McNair is ready to try and give any tips he can.
"Sometimes, I've even had point guards ask me what to do on some plays, too," McNair said prior to the season beginning. "That comes from the experience I have with Coach Jans. I already know what to expect. I try to get the newer guys to follow what I do basically."
The Bulldogs have appreciated McNair's unselfishness and willingness to share.
"It helps to have a guy in certain drills that's talking, letting guys know what coach expects and what we have to do to succeed or finish the drill," guard Eric Reed, Jr. said. "It's been a big help. I'm glad [McNair] is here."
McNair has had solid games for State throughout the season as well. He's scored five points or more seven times. He's brought down five or more rebounds six times.
His best showing though was unquestionably his rise against the Rebels.
"I was excited to get the opportunity and show what I could do," McNair said. "It helps me out mentally and lets me know I can do this at a high level."
Positioned For More
McNair is unquestionably a valuable Bulldog, and showings like last Saturday against Ole Miss might only serve to increase his importance.
"Will has set himself up to play more minutes and be counted on," Jans said. "Certainly, we don't want it because of Tolu's foul issues, but I think [McNair] and his whole team will have a lot of confidence going forward because of his play [last Saturday].
"Like I tell all the guys, 'Listen, around here you'll always have opportunities if you work hard every day. They'll present themselves and when they do, you better be ready and take advantage of it because when you produce, you'll get more minutes. So, it was nice to have [McNair's showing against Ole Miss]. Tolu played with the foul issues and Will stepped up and played like a veteran and helped us win the game."
Obviously just about every athlete desires to play as much as possible. McNair is no different in that regard.
But no matter how many minutes he's on the court or what the box scores end up saying, McNair is going to have a huge say in MSU's success regardless as the season rolls along.
When he's on the court, he's capable of games like last Saturday's. When he's off it, he's helping make the Bulldogs better in other ways. All the while, he's managing whatever comes his direction like a leader should.
"I just told him the other day how proud I am of him because I know he has some frustration and I know he wants more," Jans said. "But the way he's handled it recently has been off the chart. I told him, 'You're growing up as a man and don't even know it. I'm watching it before my eyes. I love the maturation that you're showing and it's going to help you. It's going to help us. Not just now, but for the rest of your life.'
"Those are the things you get a kick out of throughout the season. You watch people that are seriously growing right in front of your eyes."
Jans better get used to watching McNair develop. Because after going from Philly to New Mexico State and New Mexico State to Mississippi State all in the name of being with Jans, Anwar and Miller, McNair says they're all stuck with him.
"At this point, they're like my uncles," McNair said of his coaches. "We've been together for five years. It's a bond that'll never be broken. We'll always stay in touch with each other. There's nothing that could separate us."
It's a special relationship that continues to mold a special player and person.
