Mike Batiste is preparing to return to Panathinaikos AKTOR, opening a new chapter in his relationship with the greens. This time, he is not returning as a player, but as a member of Zeljko Obradovic’s coaching staff, during the Serbian coach’s second tenure on the green bench, for the next three years.
“Zoc” wants to build the Panathinaikos of the next three years with individuals who are well aware of the weight of the jersey, the pressure of championship contention, and the mentality required at this level. Batiste is an ideal case, as he was one of the most iconic foreign players in the club’s history.
Wearing the green jersey, he won 19 titles, including three EuroLeague championships, and became synonymous like few others with Panathinaikos’s era of great success under the guidance of Obradovic.
Until recently, he was working in the NBA as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors, but the prospect of returning to Athens and standing by “Zoc’s” side again changed everything. The news was even foreshadowed by Dimitris Giannakopoulos via a story on his personal Instagram account, where he posted a photo of Batiste.
His role is expected to include mentoring, video analysis, and specialized work with the big men, in a staff being built with the goal of uniting Panathinaikos’s glorious past with its new era.
