101 Greats of European Basketball

one another. Even off the court, if there’s a personal
issue, there’s always an ear to listen to you. You can call
one of the guys here, go to dinner. We’re always there
for one another, man. That’s the thing about this family
here. It starts from the coach all the way down to the
last player, and I think that’s the main reason we have
so much success here, because we do whatever it takes
for one another, to make sure you come in here, work
hard and can be successful.”
At the end of the 2011-12 season – after eight seasons
winning eight Greek Leagues titles, five Greek
Cups and three EuroLeagues – the then 35-year-old
Batiste decided to sign for Fenerbahce, which came as
a surprise to many. I am guessing it was a monetary
issue, because when he went back to OAKA to play
against his former team and former fans, Batiste didn’t
feel well. He admitted that it was strange “running on
the other side of the court”. Despite wearing the Fenerbahce
jersey, he was received with honors and a standing
ovation. Maybe that was the day when he decided
to “get back home.”
During the 2013-14 season, Batiste wore the Panathinaikos
jersey once again. This time he wasn’t one of
the team’s main contributors (3.5 points, 1.5 rebounds).
His last EuroLeague game was Game 5 of a playoff series
against CSKA Moscow, but it was no game to remember
as Panathinaikos lost in Moscow by 74-44. Mike just
played 2 minutes and didn’t score any points, but one
game cannot erase the preceding 236 that left his lasting
imprint on the EuroLeague.
In Greece, Batiste won another domestic league
and cup, which, together with a Turkish Cup, raised
his number of national trophies to 17, to go with those
three EuroLeague crowns. At an individual level, apart
from being weekly and monthly MVP several times, he
was also chosen for the All-EuroLeague First Team in
2010-11 and for the second team the following season.
His EuroLeague career highs were a 35 performance
index rating against Unicaja Malaga in 2009, 31 points
against Cibona Zagreb with Charleroi in 2000, 15 rebounds
against Benetton Treviso in 2006 and 6 assists
against Maccabi in 2012.
For Batiste, a new stage in his career has started in
his native United States. He was the assistant coach of
Spanish boss Jordi Fernandez at Canton Charge of the
D-League, a team affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
And he has since worked as a player development
assistant with the Brooklyn Nets. This much is sure: the
big men on any team where Batiste is around will surely
enjoy a top-notch teacher.
For Batiste, a new stage in
his career has started in
his native United States.
He was the assistant
coach of Spanish boss
Jordi Fernandez at Canton
Charge of the D-League,
a team affiliated with the
Cleveland Cavaliers. And he
has since worked as a player
development assistant with
the Brooklyn Nets.
101 greats of of european basketball
Mike Batiste
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