The Nets have hired Mike Batiste, a former Euroleague great, as their big man coach. David Pick, the European hoops writer, first reported the news.
Source: Brooklyn Nets hire D-League assistant, Euroleague legend Mike Batiste as big man coach.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 27, 2016
Later, George Orfanakis of Eurohoops quoted Batiste as saying, "“I have signed with the Nets."
Batiste, a 6'9" center/power forward, spend 12 years in Greece in Turkey after a short NBA career, winning three Euroleague championships with European powerhouse Panathinaikos. The last two years he's served as an assistant coach for the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers D-League team. Nets assistant GM, Trajan Langdon, worked with Batiste while in the Cavaliers organization.
The hire brings to six the number of assistants hired to work with Kenny Atkinson. With Batiste's hire, the Nets new staff now has a combined 60+ years playing experience overseas.