Echoes Of The Hardwood: Part 3 Why Mississippi State

by Matt Dunaway, Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State men's basketball opens its season in less than a month as the Bulldogs face West Georgia during their 2024-25 season opener on Monday, Nov. 4 at Humphrey Coliseum and officially embark on the program's third season under head coach Chris Jans.

Recently, the players were asked why they chose to attend Mississippi State, and what it means to them to wear the Maroon and White.

Cameron Matthews
"It means the world to me. There's not that many players that I can think of that's played five years at the same school, nevertheless around the country, just with the transfer portal and NIL. There are so many people moving around. It just means the world to me with how loving the community is, how they love me and my family. My mom especially, she's a fan favorite. So, I appreciate every moment while I'm out there."

Trey Jackson III
"Wearing the Mississippi State uniform means everything to me. Being from Starkville and seeing people come through state before me. My coach in high school [Greg Carter] played at Mississippi State. His son, Tyson [Carter], was here before me. He was a big figure in Starkville. I take a lot of pride in representing Mississippi State because I'm from here, and what it means to be a Bulldog. It's very important to me."

Josh Hubbard
"Before I came here, Coach Jans had a lot of success in the tournament. How he built his teams and how they played, I just wanted to add on to that. You said, 'Why Mississippi State?' Why not Mississippi State? It has a lot of things to offer for me personally to represent my state as a Mississippi kid growing up. It was a no brainer to play for Jans. It's a blessed opportunity for me."

EJ Paymon
"It means a lot to me. What made me come here was being from Mississippi, and some people thinking it's not possible to make it out of Mississippi. So, for me, to have the decision to go leave the state or stay, I decided to stay. You don't have to go anywhere else. You can just do it here and accomplish your dreams."

Dellquan Warren
"It was Coach Jans and his play style. I feel like, on the defensive side, that's what I do. So, I feel like I fit in great with the style. I feel like Mississippi State was just the best place for me to be the best that I can be."

RJ Melendez
"From day one, how Coach Jans was with me. He told me what he wanted from me this year. Just seeing the passion that he wanted with me to be on his team and improve my defense. That's something that I wanted to emphasize when I was recruited, somewhere that I could play defense and that could help me a lot when I jump into the professional ranks. The vision that he has for me is far ahead from where I'm at right now, but what he sees in me, nobody sees. I feel like he's going to get a lot of things out of me by just pushing me hard every day."

Claudell Harris Jr.
"I love it here. The culture that Jans has built, I feel like it's something really special. Personally, I feel like it's building me into the best player and the best person that I can be."

Kanye Clary
"I chose to come to Mississippi State because it's a winning program. Coach Jans has done a lot of winning wherever he's been at, and he plays that aggressive style."

KeShawn Murphy
"It really was the family, how everyone was like a family. Coach Brooks was like a father figure to me. This is where I wanted to be. I wanted to be one of those people [who has their picture] up in the Mize [practice gym] that was a legend here. So, every day, I come in here motivated to be one of those type of players."

Gai Chol
"Family has always been a big thing for me. It's something that my dad taught us back home. When I came to the United States, I had good host family. They helped groom me into the person I am today. That's the big thing when I was looking into schools. Mississippi State matched the type of family atmosphere that I wanted, and the type of people that are looking for the best for you."

Shawn Jones Jr.
"The family-oriented bond that we have throughout the program. The expectations that we have, the dog mentality and just how hard we play and how hard we work. How we get after it every day. That's why I really love it."

Riley Kugel
"I think it's a full circle moment for me and my family. I originally committed here [as an incoming freshman]. Things changed, but I'm back here. I feel like State is where I belong. It's going feel like a surreal moment when I put on the jersey for the first time."

Harrison Alexander
"It's a great program. I saw the success that Coach Jans had, and it made me excited to come here. When the coaches were recruiting me, it really spoke to me and spoke to my heart."

Adrian Myers
"It means everything to put on a college uniform, because not a lot of people get to play college ball. When I decided to come to Mississippi State, my main goal is to win conference championships and bring the program a national title."

Jeremy Foumena
"It means a lot. The approach to me, the team we've got, I feel like it was the best fit to make a run and improve my game. I want to help my teammates towards our end goal, which is to try to win the conference and try to win March Madness. I definitely feel like State was the best fit for me."

Michael Nwoko
"I was looking for a place where I could better myself. I was looking for an opportunity and Mississippi State, I felt like it was the best option for me."

Martavious Russell
"It's close to home, and putting on this uniform is not only special for me but for my family. I have a lot to represent back at home. So, it's really important for me."

Humphrey Coliseum was one of the nation's most electric environments in 2023-24 and posted the program's fifth highest attendance average for a season. The Bulldogs boasted seven sellouts, the most on record for a season dating back to 2008-09, highlighted by four in a row to conclude the season.

Fans can purchase season tickets through Mississippi State's Athletic Ticket Office starting as low as $225 at www.HailState.com/tickets or by calling (662) 325-2600 / (888) 463-2947 (GO DAWGS).

State has secured back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances fueled by a pair of 21-win campaigns with Coach Jans at the helm. The last time the Bulldogs collected back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids was during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons. State will look to secure three straight NCAA Tournament trips for the third time in program history this season.

Last season, the Bulldogs captured three victories over Associated Press Top 10 opponents for the first time since 2001-02. State validated its regular season home win over No. 5 Tennessee by upending the top-seeded Vols at the SEC Tournament in addition to defeating No. 8 Auburn at Humphrey Coliseum.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the men's basketball program. Fans also can follow the program on its official social media accounts by searching 'HailStateMBK' on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Echoes Of The Hardwood: Part 3 Why Mississippi State

Players Mentioned

Cameron Matthews

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