Mike Batiste returns to Panathinaikos as an assistant coach

Legendary power forward and center Mike Batiste has returned to Panathinaikos, marking his third tenure with the Athens-based club. This time, however, the American athlete joins the team in a non-playing capacity, serving as an assistant coach under his former mentor, Zeljko Obradovic. Batiste arrived in Athens in mid-August 2026 to prepare for the upcoming season, with the team's first official gathering scheduled for August 24.

Upon his return to the newly renovated Telekom Center Athens, Batiste reunited with former teammates, including Spanoulis, Dikoudis, Tsartsaris, and Calathes, in a warm atmosphere. In official statements, the former player emphasized that his return is driven by a desire to build new successes for the club rather than relying solely on past accomplishments. The decision followed direct communication with Obradovic, who underscored the importance of the club's "family" culture.

As the team prepares for the new season, Batiste is fully integrated into the technical staff. His focus is now on assisting the head coach in achieving high goals for the club, effectively transitioning from his iconic playing career to a professional coaching role within the familiar environment of the Greek powerhouse.