In a historic move for European basketball, Mike Batiste, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kyle Hines, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Theo Papaloukas have been officially announced as the latest members of the All-25 EuroLeague Team. Announced on March 18, 2025, by Euroleague Basketball, this fourth grouping of all-time basket legends joins a prestigious list of previous honorees that includes notable names such as Luka Doncic, Milos Teodosic, and Dejan Bodiroga. As anticipation builds, only five spots remain on the All-25 EuroLeague Team, which will be filled next week.
Mike Batiste, whose career in the EuroLeague began with Spirou Charleroi in the 2000-01 season, has left an indelible mark on the game. Recruited by the legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic to join Panathinaikos two years later, he became a crucial player during one of the peak periods for the club. His time at Panathinaikos was defined by three EuroLeague titles, including impressive performances in championship games such as the 2007 final against CSKA Moscow, where Batiste scored 12 points, and the 2009 semifinal where he made waves with 19 points in just 21 minutes against Olympiacos Piraeus. His crowning achievement came in 2011, leading Panathinaikos to their sixth title with a standout performance, scoring 18 points and grabbing 6 rebounds against Maccabi Tel Aviv. A recognized talent, Batiste was selected for the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2010-11 and the Second Team in 2011-12, solidifying his legacy in Greek basketball.
Following in Batiste's footsteps, Bogdan Bogdanovic also made history in a shorter span. Debuting in the EuroLeague with Partizan Belgrade during the 2012-13 season, he quickly earned recognition by taking home the 2013-14 EuroLeague Rising Star award, averaging 14.8 points per game. Bogdanovic showcased his talents at Fenerbahce Istanbul under the same coach as Batiste, Zeljko Obradovic. His skills shone brightly during the 2015 season when he played a vital role in propelling Fenerbahce to the Final Four for the first time in club history. Adding to his accolades, Bogdanovic secured a second Rising Star trophy in the same year, a feat matched only by Nikola Mirotic and Luka Doncic in EuroLeague history.
In the 2017 playoffs, Bogdanovic exhibited brilliance against Panathinaikos Athens, registering scores of 14 points in the semifinal against Real Madrid and 17 points in the final against CSKA Moscow, leading Fenerbahce to its first EuroLeague championship. His phenomenal performances earned him a place on the 2016-17 All-EuroLeague First Team and the 2010-20 EuroLeague All-Decade Team.
Kyle Hines’s impressive career, spanning 14 seasons across four clubs, has fundamentally altered perceptions of size in European basketball. At just 1.98 meters, Hines defied the odds and earned the title of a center while winning four EuroLeague championships. His record of nine consecutive Final Fours stands unmatched in the EuroLeague, and he is celebrated as a three-time EuroLeague Best Defender for his incredible defensive game and leadership in crucial moments. Hines’s journey began at Brose Bamberg, followed by championship seasons at Olympiacos Piraeus, and continued at CSKA Moscow, where he secured EuroLeague trophies in 2016 and 2019.
Not only known for his height or lack thereof, Kyle Hines’ statistics are impressive, too. Over his career, he collected a staggering 3,339 points, 1,855 rebounds, 510 assists, 287 steals, and 320 blocks before retiring in 2024.
Juan Carlos Navarro, another icon, showcased unparalleled scoring prowess during his 17 seasons at FC Barcelona, where he won EuroLeague championships in 2003 and 2010. His innovative shooting style, including the famous one-legged floater dubbed 'La Bomba,' transformed the European guard position. Navarro's retirement in 2018 saw him as the EuroLeague's all-time scoring leader, a testament to his lasting impact on the game. A remarkable feat, he was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team five times, while also leading the league in scoring during the 2006-07 season.
Navarro's accolades include the EuroLeague MVP award in 2009, three MVP of the Month honors, and the prestigious 2010 Final Four MVP title, cementing him as a legend in the league.
Completing this latest class is Theo Papaloukas, who significantly influenced European basketball, especially as one of the first impact sixth-men. Though he started only 20 of his 252 EuroLeague games, he still managed to earn EuroLeague MVP honors in the 2006-07 season. Leading CSKA Moscow to championships in 2006 and 2008, Papaloukas was named the Final Four MVP in 2006, marking a major achievement that ended a 35-year title drought for the team. The Olympiacos Piraeus legend’s impact in the EuroLeague was further enhanced by his ability to lead teams to success even from a non-starting position, redefining how players are viewed based on their roles.
As the basketball community eagerly awaits the announcement of the remaining five players to complete the All-25 EuroLeague Team, the legacy of Batiste, Bogdanovic, Hines, Navarro, and Papaloukas is firmly cemented as testaments to the rich history and competitive spirit of EuroLeague basketball.
