By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Tarfin officially launched its 2026–27 campaign by hosting the annual preseason media day on Friday, bringing together coaches, players, and front-office executives to share their insights ahead of the new EuroLeague season.
Head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius expressed his enthusiasm for the newly assembled roster while emphasizing the need for progression. “As every year, we are very excited for the new season,” stated the 50-year-old play-caller. “We are very excited about the squad we have assembled and are trying to build this summer. Of course, as always, we need to be patient, work hard, and be ready.”
Reflecting on the team’s tactical shortcomings from the previous year, the Lithuanian tactician detailed the specific identity he sought to establish during the offseason. “This summer, we wanted to add more decision-makers who can make plays with the ball. That was the most important thing for me,” he said. “We wanted players who could make good decisions from positions one to five and who fight for each other on the court. That’s what we wanted to improve. I think we gave up too many easy points last season. We struggled defensively because of bad choices on offense. Let’s see if building a more experienced roster will help us in these areas.”
Baldwin welcomes Larkin: “A breath of fresh air”
Fener’s star guard, Wade Baldwin IV, echoed those high expectations, pointing to the incoming talent as a driving force for a deep postseason run. “We have nine new players on the team, players who have had successful careers,” he noted. “They will continue to do the same at Fenerbahce. We are a team aiming for the Final Four. We will work hard throughout the season and continue on our path toward that goal.”
The New Jersey native also spoke candidly about sharing the backcourt with new high-profile arrival Shane Larkin, drawing parallels to his past experiences. “Actually, I have a very similar mentality regarding Shane’s arrival as I did with Nando de Colo’s arrival last season. Shane was always a player I wanted to play against and beat. Of course, it’s well-known how good a player and how good of a person he is. So, I always wanted to attack him and beat him. Now that we are on the same team, it’s like a breath of fresh air for me. Playing with someone as experienced as him will make my job easier on the court,” he stressed.
“The team has been incredibly supportive throughout this process, and we are completely aligned on my recovery,” Larkin shared an update on his ongoing recovery process. “We are strictly following a program that we all agreed upon. I am putting in the hard work every day to ensure I can return to the court as quickly as possible. While I cannot give an exact date, I can confidently say that my return is close.”
General manager Derya Yannier provided the front-office perspective, shedding light on the club’s roster overhaul and long-term stability. “We had said that there might be more changes than usual in our team’s roster this season,” he pointed out. “We are starting the new season with a somewhat revamped squad. However, the players who form the core of the team are continuing with us to reflect the team’s main character. Therefore, our goals remain the same.”
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