Batiste to stay in Pao ?

Michael Batiste (Photo:Reuters)

31-05-2007 14:04 | eurobasket.com

One of the players Panathinaikos rely most on, Michael Batiste, will probably remain in the team for the next seasons.

Batiste was a transfer target of Barcelona and CSKA Moscow, but it looks like that he has preferred to stay at Athens with the Euroleague champion, just like the Euroleague Final Four MVP, Dimitris Diamantidis, who renewed his contract before the end of this season. Panathinaikos offered Batiste the same amount as Barcelona did, 5 million US Dollars for the next three years, and they have agreed terms until the summer of 2010. However, as boss Giannakopoulos use to do so, the relevant announcements will be made after the end of the Greek play-offs, where Panathinaikos will have to wait until Saturday to learn either Aris or Olympiakos?

Batiste was one of the key factors in Pao's success in this year's Euroleague edition. The 30-year old American was very good in the 1/2 final and made some important shots in the final and helped the team to lift the trophy in front of 19,000 fans in Athens.