Kenneth Faried returned to Telekom Center Athens with Baskonia, revisiting the arena where he spent part of the 2025-26 season with Panathinaikos. Ahead of Thursday night’s EuroLeague clash, the American center reunited with several former teammates, reflected on his relationship with Ergin Ataman and addressed the controversy surrounding Paolo Galbiati’s dismissal in Vitoria.
Known throughout his career as “The Manimal,” Faried spent approximately half a season with the Greens, making an immediate impact and earning EuroLeague MVP of the Month honors in November 2025.
Following Baskonia’s morning shootaround, the 36-year-old met Kendrick Nunn, Jerian Grant and Mathias Lessort near the locker rooms. The reunions were particularly warm, with Faried even lifting some of his former teammates off the ground as they embraced.
“Feels good, feels good to be back,” Faried told reporters. “Good energy. I mean, I left this place with great energy and now just to feel the love returning, it’s great.”
So great to see you again @KennethFaried35 💚
#WeTheGreens #paobcaktor #FeelEveryMoment https://t.co/bfkicRcaS7
— Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) October 22, 2026
But despite the warm welcome, Faried made it clear that friendship would not interfere with his competitive instincts.
“Basketball, it’s business, business as usual. I’m going to go out there and play my game, do what I got to do in order to help my team win. But in the same token, there’s no hard feelings, there’s no hard love after, but on the court it’s war.”
“Panathinaikos spent a lot of money – Hopefully we can help them lose another one”
Asked about the current Panathinaikos roster, Faried acknowledged the significant investment made by his former club, while delivering a pointed reminder that Baskonia had come to Athens with ambitions of its own.
“It’s stacked. Y’all went out and got a lot of players and played a lot of money, so hopefully y’all do what y’all need to. But in the same token, we need to do what we need to.”
When asked whether Panathinaikos’ spending would eventually translate into success, he remained cautious.
“We’ll see in the long run, but y’all started off good, y’all have been striving though and y’all just lost one at home. So hopefully we can help y’all in that direction of losing another one.”
Faried was less willing to entertain the possibility of being part of this season’s Panathinaikos team. When the subject was raised, he declined to elaborate, emphasizing that he was happy with his current situation at Baskonia and focused on doing his job.
Faried on Ataman: “He helped me showcase that I’m still Kenneth Faried”
Faried also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding Ergin Ataman, who coached him during his spell in Athens.
Despite the scrutiny surrounding the Turkish coach, a three-time EuroLeague champion, Faried had nothing but positive words about their time together.
“I think he was a great coach for us, especially when I was here. He helped me to be able to play where I was able to be. I won Player of the Month while I was here. He helped me to showcase that I’m still Kenneth Faried.”
The former NBA standout went even further, revealing that he would be open to working with Ataman again.
“I’m happy to have had him as a coach and if he wanted me to play for him again, then yeah, sure. But it all depends on my next situation.”
Faried also credited Panathinaikos with playing a decisive role in reviving his career at the highest level of European basketball.
Asked whether his stint in Athens had effectively provided the platform for his EuroLeague return, he replied:
“Oh, for sure. I believe that. I believe that me being back where I’m at was the case for me coming here in Panathinaikos and me being able to showcase my talent.”
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For a player whose career has taken him from the NBA to several international leagues, his brief spell in Athens clearly remains an important chapter.
The Galbiati controversy: Faried responds to Felix Fernandez’s accusations
Beyond his Panathinaikos reunion, Faried was also asked about the turbulent situation at Baskonia, where the dismissal of Paolo Galbiati and the subsequent appointment of Velimir Perasovic have dominated discussions.
Galbiati’s departure followed Baskonia’s disappointing start to the EuroLeague campaign, but the coaching change became particularly contentious after sporting director Felix Fernandez publicly criticized the Italian.
Fernández accused Galbiati of repeatedly making excuses for the team’s performances and fostering what he described as a defeatist mentality, which he considered incompatible with Baskonia’s identity and ambitions.
The sporting director also claimed that Galbiati had sought improved financial terms and a longer contract, while expressing an interest in coaching Barcelona.
Furthermore, Fernández publicly discussed disagreements over roster construction, alleging that Galbiati did not count on Markus Howard and wanted players such as Tadas Sedekerskis to leave.
These were allegations made by the club’s sporting director, rather than independently established conclusions, but they exposed the extent of the tensions surrounding the coaching change.
Asked about the controversy, Faried declined to engage in the public dispute, although he made a point of acknowledging the respect and affection Galbiati had commanded among several players.
“I have no comment on that situation. That’s what the team decided to do. I think we were great with him and a lot of players respected and loved him, but now we have to move forward. We have a new coach and we have to focus on the present.”
His response was measured, neither directly challenging management’s decision nor endorsing the criticism leveled at his former coach.
With Perasović returning for his fourth stint in charge of Baskonia, having signed a contract through 2028, Faried stressed that the players were now adapting to a different approach.
“New coach, he’s implementing his stuff and we’re trying to focus on what he wants us to do. And he’s trying to help us to be better, so just focusing on that.”
