Grant said Messina was difficult to play for but claimed the famous coach to have been a good person. Panathinaikos' main goal is to win the EuroLeague, the player says.
Jerian Grant is an important member of the Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens starting five. Two years ago, his EuroLeague debut season wasn't nearly as successful.
Grant played his first year in the top European competition during the 2021-22 season for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. In 26 games with the club, he averaged just 2.8 points and 1.6 PIR per game playing for head coach Ettore Messina.
Although Grant's stats in the Italian League (LBA) were better (7.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists for 8.8 PIR), the veteran guard left the club and went on to play for Turk Telekom, where he became the EuroCup MVP the very next season.
"It was my first year in EuroLeague. You know, obviously, Coach Messina is not easy to play for," Grant said in an interview with Matteo Andreani from Basket Inside. "But he's a good person."
Now in the EuroLeague again, Grant is seen as one of the best defensive players in the competition, capable of providing scoring for Panathinaikos. In 33 EuroLeague contests this season, Grant started the game off the bench just four times for head coach Ergin Ataman.
"There's a difference," Grant said when asked to compare Messina and Ataman. "There's more freedom with Coach Ataman. I think that's what's helped me and a lot of his guards play well."
After a rough start to the season, Panathinaikos are currently in 2nd place in the EuroLeague standings. Looking ahead, there's only one goal for the organization, Grant says.
"The main goal is to win the EuroLeague. This is the main thing, and I'm focused on it," he said.
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