SE: Getting to Know Nijel Pack of K-State Men’s Hoops
Sep 15, 2020 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
Nijel Pack spoke with Austin Siegel of K-State Sports Extra about playing high school basketball in Indiana, his mentality as a point guard and his hopes for K-State men's basketball in 2020.
The conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.
AS: What gave you the confidence to commit to K-State as the first member of the 2020 class?
NP: On my visit, just seeing the culture, the facilities and all the resources, especially the coaching staff and the players, they really made it feel like a second home here. I knew that's what I was looking for. Out of all the visits that I took to other schools, I definitely enjoyed this one and I was able to fit in very quickly with the team. I had that feeling that I didn't get at any other place. I knew it was time for me to call it home.
AS: It's such a unique time to arrive at a college basketball program, but what have your first few months in Manhattan been like as a student and college basketball player?
NP: As a basketball player, things are a little different. We're definitely working super hard, that hasn't changed. But just the format and the way we're doing things, not being able to practice together, having to stay in separate groups and wear masks, that's the only thing that's been kind of different. As a student, I don't think you get the full college experience taking classes online and not being able to go talk and socialize with your classmates and professors. It kind of isolates everybody, but it's all part of God's plan so you've just got to trust and believe in it.
AS: People might be familiar with local players like George Hill, but when you were playing Indiana high school basketball, how competitive is that league night in and night out?
NP: Man, I could tell you from experience that every night, every game is just a different type of competition. It doesn't matter who you're playing. You might be playing somebody who's unranked, but they always have talent on their team. You can't take the night off. You have to come out every game ready to play and be ready for whatever punch will be thrown at you. But that's typical Indiana basketball. It kind of got me ready for what to expect here at K-State.
AS: Is there a part of your game that you really feel like you elevated during your senior year, even after committing to K-State?
NP: I think just being able to adjust my shooting range, knowing that the college range is a little farther back. I worked on my stamina and my endurance got a lot better since the court is bigger too. In college, you have to pick up guys for 94 feet so I know those were things I would need to work on. And then definitely the mental part of the game, being able to learn stuff quicker and catch onto things so I can get a mental edge on guys from the other team.
AS: As a point guard, that relationship with your head coach is so important when you're out there on the floor. What got you excited about working with Coach Weber here at K-State?
NP: Just seeing the type of legendary coach that he is, it's crazy. Back in Indiana, when people hear that Coach Weber is going to be my coach it's, "Wow, I know him from Purdue." He's so well-known because of the things he's done with other players and other point guards. Looking at all the players he's sent overseas and to the league, it's ridiculous. His knowledge, if some of that could rub off on me that would be great.
AS: Are there any players in college or the NBA that fit your profile as a point guard?
NP: I can definitely tell you my favorite NBA player, especially at the point guard position, is Damian Lillard. He definitely reminds me of myself in how he's cool and composed the whole game. He doesn't let his emotions get too high or too low. He plays with great energy and especially with expanding his shooting range, he's just taken it to another level. That's definitely how I try and model my game. With his size, he's not one of those super big Ben Simmons-type guards and he just reminds me of how I could be.
AS: I know a lot of people talk about how that transition can be a challenge at point guard when you move up a level, high school to college or college to the NBA. What gets you motivated about hopping right into a Big 12 schedule this year?
NP: Just the doubt. Any doubt that somebody might have motivates me. The drive to want to do something special and be great, that comes from inside of me. There are days where I would rather not be getting up super-duper early, I would rather be in bed. But then I just think about the end result and the things that can be accomplished if I work hard. That's what keeps me going every day.
AS: What gets you excited about the next few months as you guys continue to practice and just keeping building towards the season?
NP: We're going to shock a lot of people. Coming off the season that we had last year, maybe some people were thinking this is a young team, they're new. But I feel like just watching the other guys, our coaches and our staff, the energy that they have and the hard work that we're bringing, I feel like we're going to be able to do something special. I'm excited to show the world everything that we've been working on this summer.
The conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.
AS: What gave you the confidence to commit to K-State as the first member of the 2020 class?
NP: On my visit, just seeing the culture, the facilities and all the resources, especially the coaching staff and the players, they really made it feel like a second home here. I knew that's what I was looking for. Out of all the visits that I took to other schools, I definitely enjoyed this one and I was able to fit in very quickly with the team. I had that feeling that I didn't get at any other place. I knew it was time for me to call it home.
AS: It's such a unique time to arrive at a college basketball program, but what have your first few months in Manhattan been like as a student and college basketball player?
NP: As a basketball player, things are a little different. We're definitely working super hard, that hasn't changed. But just the format and the way we're doing things, not being able to practice together, having to stay in separate groups and wear masks, that's the only thing that's been kind of different. As a student, I don't think you get the full college experience taking classes online and not being able to go talk and socialize with your classmates and professors. It kind of isolates everybody, but it's all part of God's plan so you've just got to trust and believe in it.
AS: People might be familiar with local players like George Hill, but when you were playing Indiana high school basketball, how competitive is that league night in and night out?
NP: Man, I could tell you from experience that every night, every game is just a different type of competition. It doesn't matter who you're playing. You might be playing somebody who's unranked, but they always have talent on their team. You can't take the night off. You have to come out every game ready to play and be ready for whatever punch will be thrown at you. But that's typical Indiana basketball. It kind of got me ready for what to expect here at K-State.
AS: Is there a part of your game that you really feel like you elevated during your senior year, even after committing to K-State?
NP: I think just being able to adjust my shooting range, knowing that the college range is a little farther back. I worked on my stamina and my endurance got a lot better since the court is bigger too. In college, you have to pick up guys for 94 feet so I know those were things I would need to work on. And then definitely the mental part of the game, being able to learn stuff quicker and catch onto things so I can get a mental edge on guys from the other team.
AS: As a point guard, that relationship with your head coach is so important when you're out there on the floor. What got you excited about working with Coach Weber here at K-State?
NP: Just seeing the type of legendary coach that he is, it's crazy. Back in Indiana, when people hear that Coach Weber is going to be my coach it's, "Wow, I know him from Purdue." He's so well-known because of the things he's done with other players and other point guards. Looking at all the players he's sent overseas and to the league, it's ridiculous. His knowledge, if some of that could rub off on me that would be great.
AS: Are there any players in college or the NBA that fit your profile as a point guard?
NP: I can definitely tell you my favorite NBA player, especially at the point guard position, is Damian Lillard. He definitely reminds me of myself in how he's cool and composed the whole game. He doesn't let his emotions get too high or too low. He plays with great energy and especially with expanding his shooting range, he's just taken it to another level. That's definitely how I try and model my game. With his size, he's not one of those super big Ben Simmons-type guards and he just reminds me of how I could be.
AS: I know a lot of people talk about how that transition can be a challenge at point guard when you move up a level, high school to college or college to the NBA. What gets you motivated about hopping right into a Big 12 schedule this year?
NP: Just the doubt. Any doubt that somebody might have motivates me. The drive to want to do something special and be great, that comes from inside of me. There are days where I would rather not be getting up super-duper early, I would rather be in bed. But then I just think about the end result and the things that can be accomplished if I work hard. That's what keeps me going every day.
AS: What gets you excited about the next few months as you guys continue to practice and just keeping building towards the season?
NP: We're going to shock a lot of people. Coming off the season that we had last year, maybe some people were thinking this is a young team, they're new. But I feel like just watching the other guys, our coaches and our staff, the energy that they have and the hard work that we're bringing, I feel like we're going to be able to do something special. I'm excited to show the world everything that we've been working on this summer.
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