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Michael Batiste
Michael Batiste
from Wikipedia

Michael James Batiste (born November 21, 1977) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] A two-time All-EuroLeague selection, Batiste won three EuroLeague championships in 2007, 2009, and 2011 with the Greek Basket League club Panathinaikos. In 2018, he was named one of the 101 Greats of European Basketball. He was inducted into the Greek Basket League Hall of Fame in 2022.[2]

Key Information

College career

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Batiste played college basketball for Long Beach City College and Arizona State University. With the Arizona State Sun Devils, he led the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) in blocked shots during the 1997–98 season, and was named first-team All-Pac-10 for the 1998–99 season.

Professional career

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After leaving Arizona State, Batiste had a European stint, representing Spirou Charleroi in the Belgian League (2000–01) and Lauretana Biella (2001–02) in the Italian League.

During the 2002–03 NBA season, Batiste played with the Memphis Grizzlies. In 75 games played, he averaged 6.4 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game, in 16.6 minutes per game. He was also signed by the Los Angeles Clippers in September 2002, but he was waived before playing in any regular season games.

In July 2003, following his NBA season, Batiste joined the Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens, and he then played a major role in a team that won 8 consecutive Greek League championships (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) and 5 consecutive Greek Cups (2005–2009). With Panathinaikos, he also won the EuroLeague championship, by winning the EuroLeague Final Four, in 2007, 2009, and 2011, and the coveted Triple Crown in both 2007 and 2009. In 2010, he was named the Greek League MVP.[3][4]

On July 13, 2012, Batiste signed a one-year contract with the Turkish Super League team Fenerbahçe Ülker.[5] He won the Turkish Cup with Fenerbahçe.[6]

On August 7, 2013, Batiste signed a contract for the next season with his ex-team Panathinaikos.[6][7] He retired from playing professional basketball, at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Coaching career

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After he retired from playing professional basketball in 2014, Batiste began a career working as a basketball coach. He started his coaching career as assistant coach with the Canton Charge of the NBA G League On July 5, 2016, Batiste was hired as a player development assistant for the Brooklyn Nets.[8] On June 7, 2017, Batiste was hired as an assistant coach of the Charlotte Hornets.[9] On June 26, 2018, Batiste was hired by the Orlando Magic as an assistant coach.[10]

Batiste joined the Washington Wizards coaching staff for the 2021–22 NBA season. On February 10, 2022, he was suspended for two games without pay after attempting to confront a fan three days earlier, during a 100–121 loss to the Miami Heat.[11]

On July 3, 2022, the Houston Rockets hired Batiste as an assistant coach.[12]

On July 4, 2023, the Toronto Raptors hired Batiste as an assistant coach.[13]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance index rating
 Bold  Career high

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2002–03 Memphis 75 2 16.6 .422 .222 .784 3.4 .7 .6 .2 6.4
Career 75 2 16.6 .422 .222 .784 3.4 .7 .6 .2 6.4

EuroLeague

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Denotes season in which Batiste won the EuroLeague
* Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2000–01 Charleroi 10 9 28.6 .500 .300 .765 9.2 .4 .9 .3 16.1 16.0
2003–04 Panathinaikos 16 6 16.8 .439 .333 .793 3.2 .4 .8 .2 7.9 7.2
2004–05 24 21 23.9 .546 .355 .731 4.8 .7 1.0 .2 11.4 11.8
2005–06 23 22 25.9 .641* .364 .679 6.6 .6 1.4 .5 13.3 17.1
2006–07 19 13 22.3 .627 .222 .746 6.1 .5 .9 .5 12.8 15.5
2007–08 19 12 24.5 .623 .000 .776 5.3 .7 .8 .3 11.9 13.7
2008–09 22 14 22.7 .635 .125 .728 4.9 .3 .9 .4 12.5 14.8
2009–10 11 6 28.6 .615 .167 .735 5.7 .8 .6 .5 15.5 17.5
2010–11 20 13 26.5 .590 .000 .727 5.5 .8 .8 .9 13.3 14.6
2011–12 23* 13 20.7 .477 .500 .814 4.6 .7 .7 .3 9.7 9.6
2012–13 Fenerbahçe 23 16 15.8 .482 .333 .786 2.7 .3 .6 .1 5.4 4.5
2013–14 Panathinaikos 27 1 8.3 .463 .167 .692 1.5 .4 .1 .0 3.5 2.5
Career 237 145 21.0 .564 .283 .742 4.7 .5 .8 .3 10.5 11.4

Awards and achievements

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael James Batiste (born November 21, 1977) is an American professional basketball coach and former player, renowned for his accomplished European playing career that included three championships with Panathinaikos and his ongoing tenure as an assistant coach for the of the (NBA). Batiste honed his skills at before beginning his professional career undrafted in the NBA. Early in his career, he played in and prior to spending the 2002–03 season with the , appearing in 75 games as a and averaging 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. After his NBA stint, Batiste joined Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League, building a distinguished overseas career that also included time in Turkey, with his most notable success coming during his nine-season stint (2003–2012) with Panathinaikos, where he later returned for the 2013–14 season. There, he contributed to multiple domestic titles and earned individual honors, including selection to the 2010–11 All- First Team and the All-25th EuroLeague Team, cementing his legacy as a key contributor to the team's dynasty. Transitioning to coaching after retirement, Batiste joined the NBA staff in 2016 as a player development coach with the under . He advanced through assistant roles with the Charlotte Hornets (2017–18) and (2018–21) under , the (2021–22) under Wes Unseld Jr., and the (2022–23) under , before being hired by the on July 4, 2023, to work under head coach . In this capacity, Batiste has focused on player development, particularly with the team's big men, drawing on his extensive playing background to mentor emerging talents on the Raptors roster as of the 2025–26 season.

Early life and education

High school career

Michael Batiste was born on November 21, 1977, in , where he grew up immersed in the local scene that fostered his early interest in the sport. Batiste attended in Long Beach from 1991 to 1995, playing as a 6-foot-8 forward on the varsity team. During his junior year in the 1993-94 season, he averaged 16.7 and earned selection to the All-CIF Southern Section first team. As a senior in the 1994-95 season, Batiste improved to 21.5 , securing another honor on the All-Southern Section team. His standout performances at Wilson High School led to his later induction into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of his basketball contributions. Following graduation in 1995, Batiste opted to continue his basketball development at .

College career

Batiste began his college career at , enrolling in 1995 and playing one season during the 1995–96 campaign, where he established himself as a dominant forward with strong rebounding presence built from his high school foundation, showcasing the athleticism that would define his playing style. Following his success, Batiste transferred to in 1996, where he played three seasons (1996–99) as a forward for the Sun Devils. Over his ASU career, he posted averages of 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game across 76 appearances, contributing significantly to the team's frontcourt defense and scoring. In his junior season (1997–98), Batiste emerged as a defensive standout, leading the Pac-10 in blocked shots with 1.6 per game overall (1.59 in conference play, totaling 51 blocks). His senior year (1998–99) marked a peak offensively, as he averaged 16.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, earning selection to the All-Pac-10 First Team for his versatile contributions. Batiste's college tenure culminated in his declaration for the 1999 NBA Draft, where he went undrafted but attracted attention from professional scouts, paving the way for his transition to overseas opportunities. His time at Arizona State highlighted his growth into a reliable power forward capable of impacting both ends of the court.

Professional playing career

Early professional years

After completing his college career at Arizona State University, where he earned eligibility for the NBA Draft, Michael Batiste went undrafted in the 1999 NBA Draft. Batiste launched his professional career overseas, signing with Spirou of the Belgian League ahead of the 2000–01 season. In 10 appearances that year, he averaged 16.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. The following season, Batiste transferred to Lauretana in Italy's for 2001–02. Over 36 regular-season games, he contributed 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, along with 1.5 assists, shooting 48.0% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range. As an undrafted seeking an NBA opportunity, Batiste joined the ' training camp in September 2002. He was waived by the team on October 28, 2002, amid roster cuts to reach the league limit of 15 players.

NBA career

Batiste joined the (NBA) when the claimed him off waivers from the on October 30, 2002, securing a spot on the regular season roster as a primarily off the bench. His prior professional experience in with Pallacanestro Biella during the 2001-02 season aided his adjustment to the league's physical demands. In his only NBA season, Batiste appeared in 75 games for , starting 2, while averaging 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.2 blocks in 16.6 minutes per game. He served as an energy player in the bench unit, contributing defense, rebounding, and occasional scoring through hustle plays and dunks, helping to provide depth during a rebuilding year for the team, which finished with a 28-54 record under coaches and . Notable performances included a career-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting against the on November 22, 2002, along with 6 rebounds in that game. Following the 2002-03 season, tendered Batiste a qualifying offer on June 27, 2003, making him a , but he became an unrestricted on July 1 without re-signing, marking the end of his NBA career with no further appearances in the league.

Career in Europe

After a brief stint in the NBA, Batiste returned to in 2003, signing with Panathinaikos in , where he would play for 10 seasons until 2014 (2003–2012 and 2013–2014), with a brief interruption, establishing himself as a club legend known for his physical presence in the paint and clutch performances. During his tenure with Panathinaikos, he contributed to three championships in 2007, 2009, and 2011, along with nine Greek League titles, and was honored as the Greek League MVP in 2010. In the 2012-13 season, Batiste had a short stint with Fenerbahçe Ülker in , averaging 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in 23 games, before returning to Panathinaikos to close out his career and retiring at age 36. Batiste's European career showcased his adaptation to the intense, high-stakes style of international basketball, where he evolved into a key leader during multiple championship runs and earned enduring popularity among Greek fans for his tenacity and team-first mentality.

Playing statistics

NBA statistics

Michael Batiste played his entire NBA career during the 2002–03 season with the , appearing in 75 regular-season games as a undrafted . Over these games, he averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Batiste contributed off the bench as a , logging 16.6 minutes per game and providing efficient interior scoring and rebounding support for the team. The following table summarizes Batiste's per-game averages for the 2002–03 regular season:
SeasonTeamGMPFG%3P%FT%PTSTRBASTBLK
2002-03MEM7516.6.422.222.7846.43.40.70.2
In terms of career totals across his 75 games, Batiste scored 481 points, grabbed 257 rebounds, dished 52 assists, and recorded 16 blocks, with a total of 1,248 minutes played. His shooting splits included 197 made field goals out of 467 attempts, 18 out of 81 from three-point range, and 69 out of 88 free throws. Batiste did not appear in any playoff games during his NBA tenure, as the Grizzlies finished the 2002–03 season with a 28–54 record and did not qualify for the playoffs. Regarding advanced efficiency metrics, his player efficiency rating (PER) stood at 12.2, reflecting solid but limited production as a reserve player, while his true shooting percentage (TS%) was 47.6%, indicating moderate scoring efficiency given his role.

European statistics

Batiste's career from 2003 to 2013 encompassed 237 games, in which he averaged 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 58.8% from the field. His scoring peaked during the 2009-10 season with an average of 12.8 points per game. In the Greek Basket League with Panathinaikos from 2006 to 2013, Batiste compiled averages of 9.8 points and 4.5 rebounds over more than 200 games, contributing significantly in playoff contests en route to multiple championships. During his earlier stint in the French LNB Pro A from 2003 to 2006, he recorded 10.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game across approximately 120 appearances with ASVEL . In the Turkish Basketball Super League during the 2012-13 season with Fenerbahçe, Batiste averaged 5.4 points in 23 games. Prior to his NBA career, Batiste played in (1999–2000 with Brezia Basket and 2001–02 with Scafati Basket) and Belgium (2000–01 with Spirou Charleroi), averaging around 15–18 points per game in those leagues, though detailed statistics are limited. Across his European professional tenure, Batiste participated in over 600 games, delivering consistent double-digit scoring in championship-winning seasons. These figures highlight his as a forward, particularly in high-stakes international play, where his interior scoring and rebounding proved vital compared to his more limited NBA output.

Awards and honors

EuroLeague and FIBA honors

Michael Batiste earned widespread recognition for his pivotal role in elevating Panathinaikos to dominance in European , particularly through his contributions to the club's success in the . Over his ten seasons with the team from 2003–04 to 2011–12 and in 2013–14, he was instrumental in securing three championships in 2007, 2009, and 2011, showcasing his versatility as a forward with exceptional scoring and rebounding prowess in high-stakes games. Batiste's individual performances were honored with two All-EuroLeague Team selections: the First Team in the 2010–11 season, where he led the league in two-point field goals made with 105, and the Second Team in the 2011–12 season. These accolades reflected his consistent impact as one of the competition's top interior players, averaging double-digit scoring across multiple campaigns while contributing to Panathinaikos' defensive intensity. In 2018, Batiste was included in the EuroLeague's 101 Greats of European Basketball, a prestigious list celebrating the most influential figures in the league's history for their on-court excellence and lasting legacy. This honor underscored his broader continental influence, even without major appearances in or Olympic events, as he focused his international career on club-level achievements in Europe's premier competition.

Key EuroLeague Honors

  • EuroLeague Champion: 2007, 2009, 2011 (Panathinaikos Athens)
  • All-EuroLeague First Team: 2010–11
  • All-EuroLeague Second Team: 2011–12
  • 101 Greats of European Basketball: 2018

National league honors

During his playing career with Panathinaikos , Michael Batiste won nine Greek Basket League championships: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, and 2013–14. He also won seven Greek Cups (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014) with Panathinaikos and one (2013) with Fenerbahçe. Batiste was recognized as the Greek Basket League MVP for the 2009–10 season, highlighting his dominant performance as a key forward in the league. He earned the Greek League Finals MVP award in 2009–10, underscoring his pivotal role in Panathinaikos' playoff success. In 2022, Batiste was inducted into the Greek Basket League Hall of Fame in recognition of his lasting contributions to the league. Earlier in his European career, Batiste participated as a French LNB Pro A All-Star in 2005, though he did not receive major honors in the Turkish Basketball Super League during his stint with Fenerbahçe.

Coaching career

G-League and early NBA roles

Following his retirement from professional in 2014, Batiste immediately transitioned into as an assistant coach for the Canton Charge, the affiliate of the , where he served for two seasons from 2014 to 2016. In this role, he focused on player development for emerging talent in the developmental league. His time with the Charge provided foundational experience in at the professional level, building on his background as a . In 2016, Batiste advanced to the NBA as a player development assistant with the for the 2016-17 season, specializing in big man development under head coach . The following year, he joined the Charlotte Hornets as a full assistant coach for the 2017-18 season, working under . During his stint with the Hornets, Batiste contributed to team preparation and skill enhancement for frontcourt players. Batiste continued his NBA assistant coaching career with the from 2018 to 2021, again under , emphasizing defensive schemes as part of the staff's focus on improving team defense. Throughout these early NBA roles, his responsibilities included player scouting, film breakdown, and mentoring young forwards, drawing from his own successful playing tenure in to provide practical insights on post play and international-style fundamentals. Batiste had no head coaching experience during this period, remaining in assistant and development positions.

Recent NBA positions

In the 2021–22 season, Michael Batiste served as an assistant coach for the under head coach Wes Unseld Jr.. During this tenure, on February 10, 2022, Batiste was suspended for two games without pay by the NBA for conduct detrimental to the team, stemming from an incident where he entered the spectator stands in an attempt to confront a fan following a game against the . Batiste transitioned to the for the 2022–23 season, joining the staff as an assistant coach under head coach . In this role, he contributed to player development efforts for the team's young roster, emphasizing skill growth and integration into the offensive system. On July 4, 2023, Batiste was hired as an assistant coach for the under new head coach . There, he focused on working with the team's big men, aiding in defensive strategies and player rotations to enhance frontcourt performance. Batiste's responsibilities evolved from primary player development to providing strategic input on rotations and defensive schemes, supporting the ' rebuilding efforts. As of November 2025, Batiste remains an assistant coach with the Raptors, actively participating in team activities, including practice sessions documented as recently as March 19, 2025. No further disciplinary incidents have been reported during his time with the Raptors.

References

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