Ergin Ataman

Ergin Ataman

Ataman in January 2018
Panathinaikos
Position	Head coach
League	Greek Basket League EuroLeague
Personal information
Born	(1966-01-07) January 7, 1966 (age 58) Istanbul, Turkey
Career information
Playing career	1984–1996
Coaching career	1996–present
Career history
As coach:
1996–1998	Türk Telekom (assistant)
1999	Pınar Karşıyaka
1999–2001	Efes Pilsen
2001–2003	Montepaschi Siena
2003–2006	Ülkerspor
2006–2007	Climamio Bologna
2007–2008	Beşiktaş
2008–2010	Efes Pilsen
2011–2012	Beşiktaş
2012–2017	Galatasaray
2017–2023	Anadolu Efes
2023–present	Panathinaikos
Career highlights and awards
As head coach 3× EuroLeague champion (2021, 2022, 2024) EuroCup champion (2016) FIBA Saporta Cup champion (2002) FIBA EuroChallenge champion (2012) 5× Turkish Super League champion (2009, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2023) 6× Turkish Cup winner (2004, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2018, 2022) 8× Turkish Super Cup winner (1997, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2022) EuroLeague Coach of the Year (2021) As assistant coach FIBA Korać Cup champion (1996)

Halil Ergin Ataman (born January 7, 1966) is a Turkish professional basketball coach, currently managing Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague. He is also the head coach of the Turkish national team.

During his playing career which began in 1982, he played for the Eczacıbaşı and Yeşilyurt basketball clubs in the amateur area.

Ataman is considered the most successful coach in Turkish basketball history and one of the most successful coaches in Europe, having won three Euroleague titles (2021, 2022 and 2024). In 2021 and 2022 he won back to back Euroleague titles with Anadolu Efes and in 2024 he won the Euroleague title with Panathinaikos BC in his first year.

Coaching career

Early years

Ataman began his managerial career in Eczacıbaşı Youth Team followed by a stint as the coach of Efes Pilsen Youth Team. Then, he coached the BSL teams Türk Telekom, Pınar Karşıyaka and Efes Pilsen respectively. He was the assistant coach of Turkish national team alongside Ercüment Sunter in EuroBasket 1997 in Spain. Turkey finished the tournament in the 8th place. He spent time at Stanford University in the United States as an observer during the 1998-99 season.

After his return to Europe, he coached Italian side Montepaschi Siena and won with the club the very last Saporta Cup in 2002. Subsequently, he joined Ülkerspor (now Fenerbahçe Ülker); however, he had to quit his job due to personal issues. ^[1] He stated that his resignation was voluntary. ^[2] Subsequent to his departure from Fenerbahçe he returned to Italy and signed for Climamio Bologna ^{[3] [4]} and coached there until his return to Turkey as the head coach of Beşiktaş during the 2007–08 season. ^{[5] [6]}

Beşiktaş Cola Turka

Ataman had a successful season with Beşiktaş which the team achieved EuroCup Quarter Finals held in Turin, Italy; after a stunning undefeated 10 in-a-row win performance in group B. ^[7] This was the very first time that two Turkish teams played against each other. Beşiktaş lost against Galatasaray Cafe Crown and eliminated in quarters. ^[8] In the league, team finalized the regular season on top place and been a part of Play-offs. ^[9] After the elimination of Beşiktaş Cola Turka in the quarters, the declaration was released that Ergin Ataman would stop coaching Beşiktaş Cola Turka. ^[10]

Efes Pilsen

A week later, he signed a two-year contract with Efes Pilsen, where he had worked from 1999 to 2001. ^[11] Ataman has reached major achievements in the 2008–09 season by winning Turkish League, Turkish Cup, and Turkish President's Cup championships. On June 4, 2010, he left the Efes Pilsen. ^[12]

Return to Beşiktaş

He signed a two-years contract with Beşiktaş in the January 2011. ^[13] In the 2010–11 season, he didn't win the cups with Beşiktaş. And next season, he won the Turkish Cup in February 2012. ^[14] Subsequently, he won the EuroChallenge title against Elan Chalon in the final on April 29, 2012. ^[15] And finally, he won the Turkish League championship victory against Anadolu Efes in the playoff finals on June 11, 2012. ^[16]

Galatasaray Odeabank

He signed a multi-year contract with Galatasaray Odeabank on June 22, 2012. ^[17] He won the Turkish League championship victory against Banvitspor in the playoff finals on June 15, 2013.

In the beginning of 2014–15 season, Galatasaray struggled financially and eventually in the results. Several players boycotted training and also some were injured, which led to frustration and conflicts in the team. ^[18] On October 19, 2014, Ataman was involved in the incident with then-Galatasaray player Nolan Smith, who threw the towel while being subbed out from the game against Banvit. ^[19] The player parted ways with the team the following week. ^[20] On November 21, 2014, in the press-conference after the EuroLeague game against the Serbian team Crvena zvezda in Istanbul, Ataman got negative publicity in Serbia, for calling 300–400 Zvezda fans Delije the "terrorists". He also stated that they were "attacking our police and our fans with torches and stones" and that he was "worried as a citizen for his and others safety". ^[21] All these comments came in line with the killing of Crvena zvezda fan by Galatasaray supporters in fan violence before the game. ^[22] Even Serbian PM Aleksandar Vučić reacted to that comment, saying that "Ataman is no longer welcome in Serbia". ^[23] Ataman later apologized for his comments, saying that "all the remarks [on Zvezda fans] were made before learning it [that this tragedy occurred before the game]". ^[24]

On June 6, 2015, he signed a two-year extension with the club, reportedly worth half million euros per season. ^[25]

On April 27, Ataman's team Galatasaray Odebank defeated Strasbourg in Abdi İpekçi Arena and won the EuroCup title. With this win he reached his 3rd European-wide championship as a head coach.

Anadolu Efes

In December 2017, Ataman signed a contract with Anadolu Efes.

In the 2018–19 season, Ataman led Anadolu Efes to the 2019 EuroLeague Final Four, where they lost in the final game to the CSKA Moscow. On May 23, Ataman signed a two-year contract extension with the Anadolu Efes. ^[26]

In the 2020–21 season, Ataman won the EuroLeague title where they played with Barcelona in the final game. Ataman became the first Turkish coach who won the EuroLeague title. And next season, he won the Turkish Cup in February 2022. ^[27]

He won the EuroLeague title for the second time in a row in the final match against Real Madrid in the 2021–22 season. ^[28]

Panathinaikos

On April 21, 2023, Ataman signed a two-year contract with Greek Basket League and EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos, marking a new page in his career. The deal was made official on June 20, 2023. ^[29]

On 17 November 2023 against Virtus Bologna, he reached 200 career wins in the EuroLeague.

In the 2023-24 season, Ataman and Panathinaikos finished in the 2nd place in the Euroleague Regular Season (23W-11L) and secured the home court advantage for the Playoffs, where they eliminated Maccabi Tel Aviv with a score of 3-2 and led Panathinaikos to the Final Four in Berlin for the first time after an absence of 12 years.

He won Panathinaikos' seventh EuroLeague title and the first one since 2011, facing Real Madrid in the final where the "Greens" dominated the second half against Real Madrid for a 80-95 victory in Berlin and managed to win the Euroleague title in his first season as the head coach.

Coaching record

Legend
G	Games coached	W	Games won	L	Games lost	W–L %	Win-loss %

Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the team played during the season. He also coached in domestic competition, and regional competition if applicable.

EuroLeague

Team	Year	G	W	L	W–L%	Result
Montepaschi	2002–03	22	11	11	.500	Won in 3rd place game
Ülker	2003–04	13	6	7	.462	Eliminated in Top 16 stage
Ülker	2004–05	22	10	12	.455	Eliminated in quarterfinals
Ülker	2005–06	19	6	13	.316	Eliminated in Top 16 stage
Bologna	2006–07	14	5	9	.357	Eliminated in regular season
Efes Pilsen	2008–09	10	4	6	.400	Eliminated in regular season
Efes Pilsen	2009–10	16	6	10	.375	Eliminated in Top 16 stage
Galatasaray	2013–14	27	13	14	.481	Eliminated in quarterfinals
Galatasaray	2014–15	24	6	18	.250	Eliminated in Top 16 stage
Galatasaray	2016–17	30	11	19	.367	Eliminated in regular season
Anadolu Efes	2017–18	18	4	14	.222	Eliminated in regular season
Anadolu Efes	2018–19	37	24	13	.649	Lost in the final game
Anadolu Efes	2019–20	28	24	4	.857	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Anadolu Efes	2020–21	41	27	14	.659	Won EuroLeague Championship
Anadolu Efes	2021–22	34	21	13	.618	Won EuroLeague Championship
Anadolu Efes	2022–23	34	17	17	.500	Eliminated in regular season
Panathinaikos	2023–24	41	28	13	.683	Won EuroLeague Championship
Career		430	223	207	.519

Domestic Leagues

Team	Year	G	W	L	W–L%	Result
Anadolu Efes	2017–18	36	25	11	.694	Lost 2018 Turkish League Semifinals
Anadolu Efes	2018–19	40	34	6	.850	Won 2019 Turkish League Finals
Anadolu Efes	2019–20	23	21	2	.913	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Anadolu Efes	2020–21	38	37	1	.974	Won 2021 Turkish League Finals
Anadolu Efes	2021–22	42	29	13	.690	Lost 2022 Turkish League Finals
Anadolu Efes	2022–23	39	30	9	.769	Won 2023 Turkish League Finals
Career		218	176	42	.807

Achievements

• Türk Telekom 1
  • Turkish President's Cup: (1997)
• Montepaschi Siena 1
  • Saporta Cup: (2002)
  • EuroLeague Final Four: (2003)
• Ülkerspor 4
  • Turkish Cup:(2004, 2005)
  • Turkish President's Cup: (2004, 2005)
• Anadolu Efes 15
  • Korać Cup (1996) Assistant Coach
  • EuroLeague: (2021, 2022)
  • EuroLeague Final Four: (2000), (2019)
  • Turkish Super League: (2009, 2019, 2021, 2023)
  • Turkish President's Cup: (2000, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2022)
  • Turkish Cup: (2009, 2018, 2022)
• Beşiktaş Milangaz 3
  • Turkish Cup: (2012)
  • EuroChallenge: (2012)
  • Turkish Super League: (2012)
• Galatasaray Odeabank 2
  • Turkish Super League: (2013)
  • EuroCup: (2016)
• Panathinaikos 1
  • EuroLeague: (2024)

Personal life

Ataman studied at Italian High School in Istanbul. Then he was accepted by Istanbul University, where he studied at Business Administration Department. He is married to Berna Ataman and has a son named Sarp.

Ataman is a fan and member of Galatasaray and enjoys a high status among their fans.

See also

• List of EuroLeague-winning head coaches

References

1. "Ergin Ataman istifa etti" (in Turkish). sporx.com. 27 March 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
2. "Ergin Ataman istifa etti" (in Turkish). sabah.com.tr. 28 March 2006. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
3. "Ergin Ataman Bologna'da" (in Turkish). ntvmsnbc.com. 17 November 2006. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
4. "Şampiyonluk Yaşamaya Geldim" (in Turkish). turkishny.com. 5 March 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
5. "Ergin Ataman Beşiktaş'ta" (in Turkish). haber3.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
6. "Beşiktaş Cola Turka Ergin Ataman'la Anlaştı" (in Turkish). tbl.org.tr. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
7. "Beşiktaş Cola Turka ULEB Cup'da Yenilgisiz Tek Takım (77-76)" (in Turkish). haber34.com. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
8. "Beşiktaş Cola Turka: 60 Galatasaray Cafe Crown: 61" (in Turkish). hurriyet.com.tr. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
9. "Lider işi Uzattı" (in Turkish). hurriyet.com.tr. 28 April 2008. Retrieved 9 May 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
10. "Beşiktaş'ta Ataman dönemi bitti" (in Turkish). ntvspor.net. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
11. "Ergin Ataman resmen Efes'te" (in Turkish). ntvspor.net. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
12. Ergin Ataman left the Efes Pilsen Archived 2014-09-03 at the Wayback Machine (in Turkish)
13. Ergin Ataman signed with Beşiktaş Archived 2011-01-09 at the Wayback Machine (in Turkish)
14. Beşiktaş Milangaz won the Turkish Cup (in Turkish)
15. Beşiktaş Milangaz win Eurochallenge 2012
16. Beşiktaş Milangaz won the Turkish League (in Turkish)
17. Galatasaray announced Ergin Ataman
18. "Rasulo u Galati – sukob na treningu". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 22 November 2014.
19. Kalaf, Samer. "Nolan Smith Throws Towel While Walking To Bench, Infuriates Coach". deadspin.com. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
20. "Nolan Smith leaves Galatasaray". sportando.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
21. "Ataman: Navijači Zvezde – teroristi". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 22 November 2014.
22. "Serbian fan killed in Istanbul Euroleague violence: consul". Reuters. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
23. "Ataman nije dobrodošao u Srbiju". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 22 November 2014.
24. "Ataman: Nisam znao za ubistvo". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 22 November 2014.
25. "Ergin Ataman signs a two-year, €1M contract with Galatasaray". sportando.com. 6 June 2015. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
26. "Efes re-signs Coach Ataman". euroleague.net. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
27. "Micic leads Efes past Fenerbahce, raising the Turkish Cup". basketnews.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
28. "Anadolu Efes takes down Real to win back-to-back EuroLeague title!". Eurohoops. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
29. "Two-time EuroLeague champ Ergin Ataman takes charge at Panathinaikos". EuroLeague. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.

External links

• Ergin Ataman at euroleague.net