The new Panathinaikos recruit caught up with Geoff Gillingham at the Greens’ media day
Richaun Holmes: ‘I’m looking forward to playing under Coach Ataman’
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After 10 years in the NBA, Richaun Holmes will get his first taste of the EuroLeague with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens this season.
The 31-year-old has displayed his talent in the NBA, posting career averages of 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in 489 regular-season games, and now he’ll get to further hone his trade under three-time EuroLeague champion head coach Ergin Ataman.
“He’s smart, man. He’s smart,” Holmes told Euroleague.net’s Geoff Gillingham during Panathinaikos’s EuroLeague media day. “He’s passionate about the game, passionate about his players. You can see it – it radiates off of him. I’m looking forward to playing for a coach like that.”
It was clear throughout the day that Holmes has really immersed himself into this new experience, bringing joy to all his teammates and already looking like a key member of the team off the court.
“I was pretty familiar with the roster once I got here,” he said. “I just think everybody’s been great bringing me in, just helping me out, so that was the biggest surprise. Everybody’s been helping me understand the terminology and things like that. Everybody’s just been great.”
One player who he is eager to go up against in training is All-EuroLeague center Mathias Lessort, but for now that will have to wait.
“Not yet, not yet,” he said. “We haven’t played against each other yet, but I know what he brings to the court and I’m very familiar with him, so I’m looking forward to having him back when he gets back.”
There are some notable differences between the NBA style and that of the EuroLeague, not only in the length of the game but also with the way in which defenses leave less space in the paint, yet Holmes is confident that he will comfortably adapt.
“I think it’s more just mental,” he said. “In the EuroLeague, just understanding the tactics and where you need to be and things like that, how to set screens. Everything is a lot more tactical-based and I prefer to play basketball that way, so I like that.
“I think it’s just about playing basketball the same way with the same mindset, having an impact whenever I step onto the floor and trying to do something to help the team win.”
Holmes joined the Greens on August 9 and was immediately inundated with messages from Panathinaikos supporters who wanted to show him support, as well as give him a taste of what awaits at Telekom Center Athens.
“I can’t wait, I can’t wait,” he said. “They’ve been sending me fan videos about what to expect ever since I signed, so I’m looking forward to actually getting the chance to experience it in person.”
Having lived in the United States for his whole life, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers (2015-18), Phoenix Suns (2018-19), Sacramento Kings (2019-23), Dallas Mavericks (2023-24) and Washington Wizards (2024-25), Holmes is excited about the chance to try something new in Greece.
“It’s been beautiful, I love it,” he said. “Just the view from my house, to see the beach and things like that, it’s unbelievable experience and opportunity to get a chance to play basketball here.”
Holmes and Panathinaikos begin their EuroLeague season with back-to-back home games against FC Bayern Munich (next Tuesday) and FC Barcelona (next Friday).