Sept. 7, 2016
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
On campus in Nashville – This time last year, Wade Baldwin IV was preparing for his sophomore season as a member of the Vanderbilt University men’s basketball program. Now Baldwin is one of the newest members of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, who selected the former Commodore point guard with the 17th overall pick in June’s NBA draft.
Baldwin visited Vanderbilt’s campus to attend the ‘Dores’ home football opener against South Carolina. He chatted with VUCommodores.com about his draft experience, the future of Vanderbilt hoops under Bryce Drew, representing the Commodores in the NBA and more.
VUCOMMODORES.COM: You’ve been busy since you were drafted by the Grizzlies. What’s your summer been like?
Wade Baldwin IV: It’s been a whirlwind, just getting adjusted to real life. Here at Vanderbilt, I was living in the Towers dorms. Now I’m paying for a three-bedroom condo in Memphis. It’s a little different – taxes rolling in, things like that.
VU: The moment you were drafted: what was that like?
WB: It was like, finally! I was in the green room down low, and at the time they pulled a lot of guys from the stands out in the draft, so we were getting nervous. Like, are these guys getting picked? But once it went down, I was so happy.
VU: Golden State drafted your former Vanderbilt, Damian Jones, with the 30th overall pick. How did it feel to see another Commodore land in the NBA?
WB: It’s an honor for two guys from the same school to be in that position. It not only helps Vanderbilt’s publicity, but on that night, it was special for our families.
What’s funny is, after the moment I got picked, I didn’t see any of the guys picked behind me — until that 30th pick. In that moment everybody in the back actually stopped to watch. The Warriors were up, and Damian got called. I was so happy, I called him as soon as he got picked, but of course he didn’t answer. But he called me back about 10 minutes later. I was so happy for him.
VU: What does it mean to represent Vanderbilt in the NBA? What made the university special to you?
WB: It’s crucial. You never want to forget what got you here. This was a place I dedicated two years to. I put in the work here, and now everything has come back.
The environment at Vanderbilt, and the people here, it’s just phenomenal. They mix us in with regular students so we don’t feel isolated as student-athletes. I was talking to one of my Grizzlies teammates, Wayne Selden, who played at Kansas. He said they had their own house at Kansas [for men’s basketball players]. At Vanderbilt, we’re mixed with the student body. It’s a much better experience.
VU: Do you have any favorite memories from your VU career?
WB: During my freshman season we played South Dakota State in the NIT. That was super special because we were mostly freshman on that team playing in the NIT. Then the Kentucky game last February, when we beat them at home, 74-62.
VU: Obviously you haven’t played an NBA season yet, but what do you know about being an NBA player that you didn’t know before?
WB: Just how much teams emphasize body endurance, how much you have to rest and recover. In college, it felt like you’ve got to keep going, like there was never enough work. You’re always going 110%. In the NBA sometimes it’s 40%, or 60%, then it’s 100%. You mix up your speed. When I was first out there doing NBA drills, I was going 100 miles per hour.
VU: At Vanderbilt, you played in a unique environment in Memorial Gymnasium. Are you looking forward to playing anywhere in the NBA?
WB: I’d probably say the top one is Oracle Arena against the Warriors, those kind of environments. Or against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Actually, our second game of the season is at Madison Square Garden, and I’ve never played there. I’m excited to get it going there.
VU: Do you have games against Golden State circled on your calendar because of Damian?
WB: Actually, what’s crossing my mind right now is playing against my old high school teammate, Karl Towns. Our season opener is against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
VU: Wow, Towns has been having a great career so far.
WB: To say the least.
VU: You said you’ve bought a condo in Memphis. How do you like the city so far? How does it compare to Nashville?
WB: It’s the opposite vibe from Nashville. I haven’t been out in Memphis a lot, since I’ve been on the road, but the guys who have been there like it. Beale Street is well-known for food and things like that. But I’m a simple guy; I’m easy to track. I’ll be at my house, the gym, maybe somewhere out to eat. But that’s it.
VU: What do you expect from the Commodores under new head coach Bryce Drew?
WB: I have nothing but high hopes for Bryce Drew. We actually have the same agent, from back when he played, so we have a little connection. But his résumé speaks for itself. When I was here in the spring before I declared for the draft, the welcoming I got from him and his staff, it was like, whoa. I think the guys on the current team are going to enjoy Coach Drew a lot.
