Mike Batiste is reportedly leaving the Toronto Raptors and the NBA to return to Panathinaikos as an assistant coach on Zeljko Obradovic’s staff.
Panathinaikos Athens legend Mike Batiste is returning to Greece to join Zeljko Obradovic’s coaching staff as an assistant, according to SDNA.
Position
PF, C
Age
48
Height
204 cm
Weight
102 kg
Birth place
Inglewood, United States of America
Per the report, the 48-year-old Batiste is leaving the NBA and his role as an assistant coach under Darko Rajakovic at the Toronto Raptors to reunite with Obradovic at Panathinaikos. The deal is expected to last three years.
Obradovic’s coaching staff in Panathinaikos should include Jose Maria Izquierdo, Mike Batiste, Vassilis Xanthopoulos, and Vlada Androic.
Batiste reunites with Obradovic at Panathinaikos
The move brings together one of the most successful player-coach partnerships in modern EuroLeague history.
Batiste played under Obradovic at Panathinaikos for nine years, becoming one of the club’s most important foreign players and a key part of its golden era.
Together, they won three EuroLeague titles in 2007, 2009, and 2011.
Credit AFP – Scanpix
Batiste is a member of the All-25 EuroLeague Team, as well as a 2010-11 All-EuroLeague First Team selection and a 2011-12 All-EuroLeague Second Team selection.
During his time with the Greens, Batiste became a fan favorite because of his athleticism, physicality, energy, and ability to play above his size as an undersized big man.
After leaving Panathinaikos in 2012, Batiste spent one season with Fenerbahce before returning to Athens for the 2013-14 campaign, which turned out to be the final season of his playing career.
Batiste brings NBA coaching experience
Since retiring as a player, Batiste has built a long coaching resume in North America.
He worked in the NBA and G League, taking assistant coaching roles with the Canton Charge, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors.
Now, Batiste is set to bring that NBA experience back to the club where he became a EuroLeague icon.
Mike Batiste In Tears Watching Panathinaikos’ Epic Moments
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