WATCH: Men's Basketball Players Media Session

STARKVILLE - The Mississippi State men's basketball team met with members of the media on Wednesday.

2025-26 Mississippi State Men's Basketball Quotes
Media Session – October 29, 2025

Guard Josh Hubbard
Q: What are your thoughts on this year's transfer class as compared to year's past, and how do you feel you all have gelled so far as a team?
JH: "I feel like we've gelled tremendously. Obviously, [Coach] Jans' teams every year have talent. This year, specifically, I feel like the bond on and off the court is just a little bit different as far as the togetherness. That can go a long way. I'm just excited for the people he's got because we sacrifice a lot for each other. That just goes a long way."

Q: Going back to summer and attending the CP3 [Chris Paul] Camp, what did you learn from that experience being around NBA players?
JH: "It was a lot of fun, and I learned a whole lot both on and off the court. There were a lot of the top collegiate players out there as well. It was a blessing to hear a lot of the NBA guys speak about their life. Paolo Banchero, Chris Paul and Jayson Tatum were there. They'll all have different backgrounds. Just hearing their stories and being able to play against them was a life-changing experience for me."

Q: You've spoken about representing Mississippi State in the past, and I'm sure you're aware that closing in on a lot of records. What does that mean as far as translating those numbers into wins this season and taking on more of a leadership role?
JH: "It's definitely a blessing. Like you said those records, it's not something that I'm really focused on I would say. I think that they will come along with the journey. A lot of players will say that they're focused on putting their team each game in the best position to win. For me as a leader, that's what I'm focused on each and every night. I think that's been my main focus. I'm grateful for all the records, and I'm grateful to be on that type of pace. It's something that I've strived for and something that I've worked hard for. I'm focused on this team right now and something that we can create to be special."

Guard Shawn Jones Jr.
Q: What did you see from your new teammates during Sunday's exhibition at Houston?
SJJ: "We're a team that has a lot of fight in us, and we don't give up. That's something all of our teams have had. It's good to see that we've got a team that fights, that keeps going and that figures it out. We've got a long way to go, but we're going to keep figuring it out."

Q: What did you focus on your game offensively coming into this offseason?
SJJ: "Just having a better handle and just having a better shot. I want to make the right decisions and try to limit turnovers out there. I want to be the best offensive player I can be and get my teammates involved the best I can."

Q: What's your relationship with Coach Jans as we've been here together for all four of his seasons?
SJJ: "Just that he trusts me and that he believes in me. He's a fun coach to play for, and he knows how to get the best out of you. He prepares you for more than just basketball and for life after basketball. Taking things that he knows about the game and trying to learn the best that I can is what I've picked up from him lately."

Guard/Forward Amier Ali
Q: When we talked to you during the summer, you said you wanted to put on a little more weight and get more accustomed to your role. Where do you feel you're at with the season starting next week?
AA: "I'm doing well keeping on some weight and adding strength to it. I'm focused on the weight room still. I think I'm doing a pretty good with it."

Q: What was your awareness of Mississippi State and Coach Jans when you entered the transfer portal, and what made you decide to want to come to Starkville?
AA: "I just knew how they played and the playing style especially at the defensive end. That's what really drew me here. I always wanted to work on my defense. I feel like that is the next level of my development is on the defensive end. That's the main reason why I came here. Coach Jans is going to get after you on defense. His style and my goals are intertwined."

Guard Dellquan Warren
Q: How do you feel about the experience that you got playing last year towards the end of the season has helped prepare you for this season?
DW: "I feel like it helped a lot, to be honest, especially playing with a lot of older guys last year. I learned from them during practice and off the court as well. I feel like a lot especially from Hubb [Josh Hubbard] too. I feel like I've learned a lot from my freshmen year."

Q: What do you feel the difference is between this year's team from last year's team?
DW: "I feel like we're more together as a team both on and off the court. Off the court, we like each other. On the court, it's not as hard to play with each other. I feel like everybody is more for the team than maybe more for themselves. Everyone has the same mindset, and we're just focused on trying to win."

Center Quincy Ballard
Q: Tee Bartlett said that he's learned a lot from you in practice, what is it like going up against him each day in practice?
QB: "He one of the bigger guys on the team, and he's a great passer in the post. He's a good post player. He's got certain moves. He can run the floor and is another quality center we have."

Guard Ja'Borri McGhee
Q: What have you seen from the younger guys on the team, and do you think they're prepared for SEC basketball?
JM: "Compared to where I've been, I've seen a lot more compassion and competitiveness in these guys. They want to get better every day, even when it's hard. Coach [Jans], he harps on us about falling into fatigue towards the end of the practice. A lot the time you'll see younger guys doing most of the reps and the older guys get a little tired. I like that. It's not like the younger guys are waiting to go last in line to go through the drills. They're in the front of the line wanting to go first, or they'll argue with a senior about getting a rep."

Q: Talk about the chemistry you as guards have with the post players
JM: "It's been kind of fun. With Q [Quincy Ballard], he's more of an inside player. With Achor [Achor], he's kind of all over the floor. I like the offensive breakdown drills we do in practice where we bring the bigs down with the guards. Every day, we're working on different reads and reactions with the timing."

Guard King Grace
Q: King, what have the last few months been like getting adjusted to college basketball and to Mississippi State? What is it like being in the backcourt with veteran guys?
KG: "The last few months, it has been a smooth ride. The first few months, it was up and down. The change of pace, the strength, the game plan and the attention to detail, it was hard at first. But I'm starting to adjust more and more every day."

"I've learned a lot too, and I get a little piece from each one. I get a little bit of driving and how to finish through contact from Borri [Ja'Borri McGhee]. I get a little bit of shooting and how to create my shot from Hubb [Josh Hubbard] some shooting from Hubbard. I get a little bit of controlling the ball and controlling the pace of the game from [Jayden] Epps. It's been a good learning process from all three and picking pieces up from each of their games."

Q: A lot of freshmen seem shocked when they see Coach Jans' defensive mind, how have you stayed ahead of that curve and kept yourself ready?
KG: "I think my aggressiveness on defense, and my mindset to play hard has helped me. That's the easy part for me, where some people have slacked off and just scored in high school, I play defense. Now, it's just about learning the schemes, watching film and learning my spots. I've already got the hard part out of the way."

Forward Brandon Walker
Q: Brandon, you've played a lot of college basketball but what about Mississippi State spoke to you and made you realize this was the place you wanted to take the next step?
BW: "Just to play in the best conference in the country. Getting better on what I need to work on and stuff like that. Making my weaknesses into strengths. I felt like Coach Jans could do that. He's a great coach. He pushes you hard and wants you to get better."

Q: This is a group that has a lot of experience whether it's transfers or guys who have been here before, but also has a big freshman class. How do you see the balance of the squad developing over the summer and going into the season?
BW: "Like you said, it's a group with a lot of experience. Being able to take what we got from other schools and playing in college basketball, we kind of know what to expect. Just helping the younger guys and helping everyone else, it's just a common collective thing to help each other."

Guard Jayden Epps
Q: I'm sure you would rather be on the court on Sunday, but what did you see from your team from the sidelines?
JE: "I actually didn't get to watch much of the game. But, from what I did see, I saw a lot of growth and a lot of things we've been working on. It's still early, we still have a lot we need to fix and work on. The guys, we do need to get more comfortable, but that'll come with time. Guys getting more comfortable playing their games and block out the noise, I feel like we'll be fine."

Q: Where have you seen this team grow from the summer as you get closer to the season?
JE: "I feel like guys are understanding their role more and getting more comfortable playing under Coach Jans and his system. I feel like we're building a great relationship together on and off the floor. It makes us play well together by knowing each other's sweet spots and where guys like to be at. Like I said, keep building relationships and playing together so we can build a culture that we want to build."

Forward Achor Achor
Q: How does Mississippi State and Coach Jans compare to some of the other places you've played at during your career?
AA: "I'll compare him [Coach Jans] to my junior college coach in Donnie Tyndall. Their coaches that have won at a lot of places. They're both very intense, and they rely on their defense. I love it though. Coach is hard on everyone, and he coaches everyone to high expectations. He doesn't let you slack off. I like that, and I appreciate that. Everyone has to bring their 'A' game each day. If everyone does that, then we'll eventually keep getting better."

Q: What have you seen from the freshmen class?
AA: "I think we're going to need everyone to contribute to the team. They're a really good freshmen class as you all know. Personally, I think a lot of them are ahead of themselves to be able to come in and contribute. It's a matter of having confidence within themselves. They know it's going to be physical, and they know what they have to do to step up to the plate."

Forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming
Q: Talk about the process of getting stronger to be ready to play college basketball at this level for this season. How much does going against a veteran like Quincy Ballard prepare you?
JDF: "It prepares me a lot. He's the biggest guy on the court, and he was the biggest guy on the court when we played Houston. He's 7-0, probably 260ish pounds. It's taught me a lot going up against each day and being physical. I was very prepared going into the Houston game to compete and battle with those guys because of facing Quincy every day. Coach Jans pushes us to our limits. He wants us to compete, to bang and to be physical. The SEC is a physical league. After practice, we laugh. During practice, we just compete and try to get each other better."

Q: You had a relationship with Josh Hubbard before coming to Mississippi State, talk about how that played a role in you coming here.
JDF: "Josh, that's my guy. We grew up together. When I was in ninth grade, he was in 11th grade. Him being a teammate was nothing new when I got here. He was half of the reason that I came here. We talked every day before I committed. When I got here, he took me under his wing. He's taught me [Coach] Jans' system. He showed me how to respond, do certain things and [Coach] Jans' way. He's right there by my side and there to pick me up when I have a bad practice. He's always there to lift me up, and it's good to have someone like that on your team."

Forward Sergej Macura
Q: What's it been like adjusting to playing college basketball in the United States and learning your new teammates?
SM: "Well, it's been fun to be honest. First of all, it's different. The level of athleticism is a bit higher. The players are faster and stronger, and the referees let the game go a little. They let us punch each other a bit more [laughter]. It's been good. Lifestyle wise, Starkville is a great city, town. I like it, it's calm. It lets us focus on our goals and focus on basketball."

Center Tee Bartlett
Q: What have you seen from the freshmen class?
TB: "I feel like the freshmen, we're in the gym every day. Me seeing us grind and doing the extra work in the weight room. I know how bad they and I really want it. We're all on the same page, and I feel like we're going to be good as a freshmen class together.

Q: How has the competition been among the bigs?
TB: "The competition has been good. I'm not used to going up against the older type of guys we have. It's been an adjustment going up against guys that are 22 or 23 especially Quincy. It's a blessing going up against him every day. He's definitely getting me better. Going up against him shows the reality of what SEC basketball is going to be like every game. I feel like I'm going to improve myself each day, and he really keeps pushing me to the max."

Guard Cameren Paul
Q: How do you feel like you all have settled in as a freshmen class?
CP: "To me, we've done a wonderful job of settling in. We're still growing, of course. We're taking hard coaching and probably it's the hardest that we've worked in our lives. It's really good for us to continue to grind. Everyone is seeing our growth. We'll be straight as long as we keep working."

WATCH: Men's Basketball Players Media Session

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Amier Ali

Quincy Ballard

Tee Bartlett

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

King Grace

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Cameren Paul

Brandon Walker

Dellquan Warren

Mississippi State University Athletics