By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
ABU DHABI (United Arab Emirates)–The Semi-Final clash between Fenerbahce and Panathinaikos at the 2025 Final Four in Abu Dhabi will have tons of matchups, with several stars going at each other for both teams.
One of those involves Wade Baldwin IV and Jerian Grant. Fenerbahce‘s guard reacted to it during media availability at the Etihad Arena. “This [matchup with Jerian Grant] isn’t an individual thing. It’s made out to be. It’s fun, it’s all about talking sh*t shit a little bit before, during, and afterward,” he said.
However, it believes that it goes way beyond a single matchup between two guards. “We’re all competitors here. This is what the game’s about. It may make it a little more fun for the media, but this is Fenerbahce against Panathinaikos,” Baldwin IV continued.
“They’re a team that beat us two times in the regular season. Not too many teams have. And we just want to get that revenge game back in a way. Fresh from last year, losing in the Final Four to this team, and in the same atmosphere. We take it on that approach,” he added.
This will be the first participation at such an anticipated event for the American guard after coming very close to the goal with Bayern Munich in 2021 and Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2024.
“It feels like it’s about time for me [to play in the Final Four] and that was the goal in the move [from Maccabi], coming to a team that has a history of being there with a coach that’s been here now five, six times in a row.”
“That’s where I wanted to be. I’m here and now, it’s time to show what I can do and what our team can do,” Fenerbahce’s exciting guard finished before one of the most important games of the season.