T.J. Shorts, the American point guard, has left Panathinaikos after just one season in Athens, the club officially confirmed.
T.J. Shorts arrived with the reputation of being a major signing for the Greens, but from the very beginning he struggled to adapt to Ergin Ataman’s system and style of play.
Before joining Panathinaikos, the 28-year-old was the undisputed leader of Paris, which became one of the biggest surprises of its debut EuroLeague season. However, under the Turkish coach, his role was significantly reduced, and he often found himself on the sidelines more than on the court.
On Tuesday, the Greens officially announced the end of their partnership with the naturalized North Macedonia national team player.
Despite delivering several strong performances, including some notable outings during the Greek League Finals, interest from other clubs helped make Panathinaikos’ decision easier.
In recent weeks, Valencia has emerged as the most frequently mentioned destination for Shorts, with the Spanish club reportedly viewing him as a potential replacement for Jean Montero. Valencia’s fast-paced style of basketball is similar to the system in Paris, where T.J. Shorts enjoyed the most successful stretch of his career.
During the 2025/26 EuroLeague season, Shorts appeared in 43 games, averaging 8.1 points and 2.9 assists in approximately 16 minutes per contest.
Thank you @TjShorts5! 💚
— Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) June 23, 2026
You left everything on the floor and made every moment special.
Wishing you all the best on your next chapter! 🙏
Once a green, always a green! ☘️#paobcaktor pic.twitter.com/5X8uuupcKc
