In a move that sent shockwaves across the EuroLeague landscape, Panathinaikos has secured the signature of TJ Shorts — arguably the most coveted player on the European market. The American point guard, who dazzled fans and opponents alike in a breakout season with Paris Basketball, will don the green jersey for the next three years.

The signing was made official shortly after the conclusion of the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi. What makes the deal even sweeter for Panathinaikos is that Shorts’ contract does not include an NBA out clause for the first year, ensuring that he’ll be running the show in Athens in 2025–26.

The EuroLeague’s Most Wanted Man

Shorts’ name has been on nearly every major EuroLeague team’s radar. According to reports from Eurodevotion, multiple elite clubs — including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Anadolu Efes, Fenerbahçe, and even arch-rivals Olympiacos — made a push for the electrifying guard. Armani Milano reportedly offered a contract worth €2 million, but Shorts turned it down.

TeleSport.rs added that NBA interest was also present, particularly from the Memphis Grizzlies. However, Shorts seemed committed to continuing his rise in Europe, narrowing his choices down to three: Fenerbahçe, Olympiacos, and Panathinaikos. Ultimately, it was the Greens who won the race.

From Underdog to MVP

TJ Shorts’ trajectory over the past two seasons has been nothing short of sensational. In 2023, he led Telekom Baskets Bonn to the Basketball Champions League title, earning both the season MVP and Final Four MVP awards. This season, he lifted the EuroCup trophy with Paris Basketball, again taking home MVP honors for both the regular season and the Final Four, while also leading the competition in assists.

A dynamic scorer and floor general, Shorts brings a unique combination of creativity, fearlessness, and killer instinct. Whether slicing through defenses, pulling up from midrange, or drilling threes, he constantly keeps opponents guessing. His pick-and-roll game is elite, and he’s unafraid to challenge bigger defenders at the rim.

In the 2024–25 EuroLeague season, he averaged 19 points, 7.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1 steal per game while shooting 52% on two-pointers and 36% from beyond the arc. His up-tempo, high-octane style was a perfect match for Paris’ system — and now Ergin Ataman will be hoping to unleash that same energy in OAKA.

A New-Look Backcourt in Athens

Shorts is expected to take over the role of Lorenzo Brown, and his arrival creates a tantalizing trio alongside Kendrick Nunn and Kostas Sloukas — a combination that promises fireworks for Panathinaikos fans. Add Jerian Grant to the mix, and the Greens suddenly have one of the most versatile and explosive backcourts in the EuroLeague.

As the dust settles on the 2025 Final Four, Panathinaikos has already fired the first shot ahead of the new season — and with TJ Shorts now in green, the message is clear: the hunt for EuroLeague glory is on.