Zeljko Obradovic's return to Panathinaikos draws praise from basketball figures

Basketball figures are reacting to Zeljko Obradovic’s return to Panathinaikos. Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dimitris Itoudis described the move as an “excellent move” that benefits both the club and European basketball, noting that Obradovic performs best in environments where he feels comfortable.

Itoudis also commented on the increasing competitiveness of the EuroLeague, observing that teams are expanding their rosters to 16–18 players to manage the demands of both domestic leagues and European competition. He emphasized that in the current landscape, “every game counts,” as even a small losing streak can impact playoff qualification.

Meanwhile, guard Aleksa Avramovic, who is set to play for Baskonia on loan from Dubai BC, reflected on his development under Obradovic during their time at Partizan Belgrade. Avramovic compared Obradovic’s coaching style to that of Sir Alex Ferguson, noting that while the coach can be demanding and use video analysis to correct mistakes, his primary goal is to help players improve and reach their full potential.