Mike Batiste is officially returning to Panathinaikos, joining the club’s coaching staff as an assistant coach under Zeljko Obradovic, in a major move that reunites one of the most successful player-coach partnerships in EuroLeague history as Panathinaikos begin a new phase of rebuilding with championship ambitions.
The reunion brings together two key figures from Panathinaikos’ golden years, with Batiste set to join Obradovic’s coaching staff as an assistant coach, marking a symbolic and strategic move by the Greek powerhouse as they look to rebuild under their most decorated coach in modern European basketball.
Batiste will take on a mentoring role within the staff, with a specific focus on working with the team’s frontcourt players. Obradovic’s intention is clear: to surround himself with individuals who fully understand the demands, expectations, and mentality required to wear the Panathinaikos jersey.
The 48-year-old will be part of a coaching group that also includes Jose Maria Izquierdo, Vassilis Xanthopoulos, and Vlada Androic, forming a staff built around experience, familiarity, and winning pedigree.
A familiar face is back in Athens! ☘️
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) July 4, 2026
According to Dimitris Giannakopoulos' Instagram post, Mike Batiste is returning to Panathinaikos, this time as part of Zeljko Obradovic's coaching staff!#paobc pic.twitter.com/8zicWUkxEb
A legendary Panathinaikos era comes full circle
Mike Batiste remains one of the most iconic players in Panathinaikos history. During his nine-year spell in Athens, he won 19 trophies, including three EuroLeague titles in 2007, 2009, and 2011, establishing himself as one of the defining figures of the club’s most dominant era.
He was widely regarded as a player who changed the role of the modern big man in European basketball, thriving as a power forward who regularly operated at the center position and dominated both ends of the floor.
His legacy was further recognized last season when the EuroLeague marked its 25th anniversary, naming him among the 25 most influential players in competition history, as well as including him in the All-EuroLeague First Team for the 2010/2011 season.
Batiste’s return also carries strong emotional weight, given his long-standing connection with Obradovic, under whom he developed during Panathinaikos’ dominant run in Europe.
“He gave us a foundation” – Mike Batiste on the influence of Zeljko Obradovic
Speaking previously to Basketball Sphere about Obradovic’s influence on his coaching career, Batiste highlighted just how important the Serbian coach was in shaping an entire generation of players who later transitioned into coaching roles.
“Zeljko helped all of us and gave us a starting point to pursue coaching, to be part of organizations like the NBA or EuroLeague. Even for me now as an assistant coach, there are many things I only understand properly now, seeing them the way Sarunas Jasikevicius does. It all reminds me of my time at Panathinaikos when he was my teammate and Zeljko Obradovic was the coach.”
He also emphasized the lasting impact Obradovic had on his mindset and career path, both during and after his playing days.
“I hope that one day I will become a head coach myself, so his influence can be seen even then, everything I learned from him as a player. I know I learned a lot. He gave us a starting point and a strong foundation for everything we do today.”
With Obradovic back on the bench and Batiste returning to the club in a coaching role, Panathinaikos are not just making a staffing change – they are reconnecting with one of the most successful eras in European basketball history, aiming to restore the winning culture that defined their dominance.
