By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
As Eurohoops reported on Monday – along with many other media in all around Europe – Shelden Williams was ready to get on a plane and fly to Istanbul, leaving French team Chalon for Fenerbahce. On the same time, Mike Batiste wanted to be paid his full contract in order to be released, but Fener didn’t wanted to compensate him in full and then gave him away for free.
It was evident from Monday nigh that Batiste will end up staying with the team, even though there was interest for him from Panathinaikos and Barcelona. What was made clear today was that his presence means no Williams for Fenerbahce. The team doesn’t have an open spot in its roster for Williams and maybe doesn’t have the money to spend on him and Batiste on the same time.
The team GM, Kemal Dincer, tried to turn things around speaking at Sportando.net: “Mike Batiste will stay with us for the season. We strongly believe in him. He is a great and experienced player and a fundamental piece of our roster. Simone Pianigiani and the coaching staff want him to stay until the end of the season. They firmly think that Batiste with his experience will be our key player for the Euroleague Top 16. Pianigiani loves his attitude, his skills. We turned down all the offers for Mike Batiste and we have never thought about parting ways with him”.