Ergin Ataman calls upon Panathinaikos's young players to train more / News - Basketnews.com

Ergin Ataman of Panathinaikos Aktor Athens issued a call to his young players to train more and be better in the Greek domestic league games.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Just like his tenure in Anadolu Efes Istanbul, coach Ergin Ataman of Panathinaikos Aktor Athens called upon young players to train more and exhibit stronger performances in the domestic league after a narrow win over Kolossos Rodou with a score of 78-81.

2-pointers this season

57%19,1Points made:19,1Accuracy:56,5%Place in standings:11Record max:25Record min:15Most made 2FGs:Konstantinos MitoglouTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"Young players take less minutes in the EuroLeague. They must play in [the domestic games," stressed the coach.

"[Panagiotis] Kalaitzakis, [Lefteris] Mantzoukas... They need to play. I don't need to play with [Kostas] Sloukas for 30 minutes, [Dinos] Mitoglou for 30 minutes," explained the coach, citing a need to rest his EuroLeague players.

He then encouraged his young players to train more.

"This is the biggest mistake... [They need] to make a lot of practice," he said. "They need to help in that kind of game [domestic games] more."

For the coach, young players need to care more about the domestic league.

"It's not important to me if they make 2 shots in the EuroLeague... I already have enough roster [there]," Ataman stated.

"We need [their] contribution to play good basketball."

Ergin Ataman's Panathinaikos will visit Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade next week.

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