Arizona State Basketball Stars Talk Big 12, Team Growth

Two Arizona State basketball stars spoke to media following Thursday's practice.

Oct 22, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Arizona Stateís Noah Meeusen (right) and Maurice Odom (left) speak to media during Big 12 Menís Basketball media day at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Sophia Scheller-Imagn Images | Sophia Scheller-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Arizona State basketball stars Moe Odum and Allen Mukeba spoke to the media after Thursday's practice in anticipation of the 2025-26 season opener on Tuesday.

To watch the full availability, view below.

Below is a transcript of what both Odum and Mukeba had to say during the media availability.

"So just being new to the team. You know, 14 new players, 13 new players. So he's just trying to come in, bring that culture, build a bond with my teammates. We do a lot of things off the court. We go eat, we do activities. So we only get, maybe not even a year, six, seven months to change around the team. So we trying to really just connect as a team off the court, so on the court, could just move as one together."

"It's been super fun, because, you know, we both grew up in the New Jersey, New York City era area, so when we first, we first recruited me like he didn't, he didn't call me as, like a recruiter, we kind of spoke about where we grew up at so we kind of related to a lot of things. So it wasn't so much of a recruit. It was more like connecting together, you know, like reconnecting from where we grew up. It's been super fun. You know, he's a legend, two time national champion."

"The transition from mid major high major is the intensity of the practice. Players, one through 10, all can jump out the gym. You know, you got to use your mind a little bit more. Use your IQ a little bit more, be patient, a little bit more. So everything, everything speeds up, but in your mind, everything got to slow down a little bit more."

Mukeba on Communication With Teammate Mor Massamba

Dec 30, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Oakland Golden Grizzlies forward Allen Mukeba (23) drives against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile (4) during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 92-62. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

"Well, you know, I've been playing in the NCAA for five years right now, and all I got to do is just show him a little bit more. I just play out here, you know, he was playing in here, just, I don't want to say it's less physical, it's just different, you know, just showing a little bit more. You know, we both speak strange, so I just had to tell him, it's really not hard and keep communicating."

Odum on Complimenting Other Guards In-Game

ASU head coach Bobby Hurley speaks to the press at Weatherup Center in Tempe, Ariz. on June 4, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

I feel like I'll compliment them because I take care some of their work that they don't have to do so much dribbling and so much like created tough shots, or trying to take tough shots where I could just, you know, get them in eight right spots, hit them on spot up shots."

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the 2025 football team is at a crossroads following a loss to Houston here.

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