Photo: EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL/YouTube

Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman has expressed his openness to coaching in the NBA, stating that he would confidently accept an opportunity if it came his way.

Ataman made the remarks during his appearance on Best In Class, a podcast presented by Turkish Airlines and SKWEEK, set to release on December 18 at 4 p.m. CET.

Ataman reflected on his accomplished career and his belief in his coaching abilities. “For all European coaches, this is a big opportunity. I have confidence, and I’m not scared,” he said. “If any NBA clubs call me to be head coach, with all my confidence, I’ll go there.”

Ataman has been a dominant figure in European basketball, leading Panathinaikos to their seventh EuroLeague title in 2024, their first since 2011. The Greens defeated Real Madrid 95-80 in the final after dominating the second half. This achievement came in Ataman’s first season as head coach, highlighting his ability to transform teams into champions.

Prior to joining Panathinaikos, Ataman earned back-to-back EuroLeague titles with Anadolu Efes in 2021 and 2022. His leadership also brought success to other European clubs like Besiktas and Galatasaray, further solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in Europe.

Despite his storied career overseas, Ataman admitted he has yet to fulfill his dream of coaching in the NBA. “I made history with Besiktas, Galatasaray, and Efes,” he said. “I joined Panathinaikos when they were in 17th position, and we had a historic season.”

In his current role, Ataman has revitalized Panathinaikos, guiding the team to the EuroLeague Final Four for the first time in 12 years. He also recently signed a contract extension that keeps him with the club through 2027, underlining his commitment to continued success.

Ataman’s coaching philosophy is rooted in passion and self-improvement rather than just technical expertise. “What matters is passion, confidence, and a willingness to improve yourself,” he shared. “Never think you are enough—you are not.”

The Turkish coach also shared advice for his son, who aspires to follow in his footsteps. Ataman encouraged him to study in the United States and pursue a career as a video analyst before aiming for a coaching role. He added, “Maybe after that, he could become the youngest European NBA coach.”

While no NBA opportunities have materialized yet, Ataman remains ready to take on the challenge. “I have confidence, and I’m not scared,” he reiterated, emphasizing his readiness for the leap to the NBA.