How Dinos Mitoglou, Jerian Grant came to relish breakout season under Ataman's coaching / News - Basketnews.com

Dinos Mitoglou and Jerian Grant explore the reasons for their breakout season with Panathinaikos, Ergin Ataman's contribution to their rise, and the relationship they've built. Grant also addresses Giannakopoulos' intention to keep him at OAKA long-term.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

No recent EuroLeague comeback story can provide as much excitement, curiosity, and admiration asDinos Mitoglou's career season withPanathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

3-pointers this season

37%9,2Points made:9,2Accuracy:36,9%Place in standings:9Record max:13Record min:7Most made 3FGs:Marius GrigonisTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Following his32-month banby FIBA, issued after the Greek forward tested positive in anti-doping control on March 4, 2022, Mitoglou was initially eligible for reinstatement in November 2024.

The illegal substance (metandienone) found in his body is considered one of the heaviest on the WADA-banned substances list. Even though Mitoglou collaborated in the investigation, he received a harsh sanction.

The season tipped off for him in late October, but that didn't deter him at all. Mitoglou is ensuring he's not missing a beat, carrying Panathinaikos on his shoulders as one of the EuroLeague's elite power forwards. The sample may be relatively small (seven games), but that doesn't make it any less impressive.

Four years after he was not selected in the NBA Draft, he had forced the league's agents to admit they made a mistake. In the summer of 2022, he intended to take the plunge, and discussions (especially with Toronto) were advanced.

But the doping scandal cast a heavy shadow on him. He was biding his time until he was given the green light. He had to let the NBA dream go away. Everybody knew who he was. But probably no one expected to see it so quickly.

Looking back at how he grew from being just an important piece in Ettore Messina's plans to one of Europe's most dominant players, Mitoglou acknowledges that now he's a completely different person -- both as a player and a personality.

"Not even close to who I was two years ago," Mitoglou told BasketNews.

"It's day and night. The

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