Esteban Batista is a Uruguayan professional basketball player who made history as the first Uruguayan to play in the National Basketball Association. He has played for the Atlanta Hawks.
Player Profile
Esteban Damián Batista Hernández was born on September 2, 1983, in Montevideo, Uruguay. He stands 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 270 pounds.
Batista plays as a center and power forward. He shoots left-handed.
| Position | Center |
| Height / weight | 2.08 m / 122 kg |
| Born | 2 Sep 1983 |
| Nationality |
Uruguay
|
| Playing Style | Left Handed |
| Team History | |
| Club Atlético Olimpia | 2022 - 2023 |
| Hebraica Macabi | 2020 - 2022 |
| Cordón | 2022 |
| San Lorenzo de Almagro | 2019 - 2020 |
| Club Nacional de Football | 2018 - 2019 |
| Instituto ACC | 2019 |
| Club Atlético Welcome | 2017 - 2018 |
| Beikong Fly Dragons | 2016 - 2017 |
| Reyer Venezia | 2017 |
| Beikong Fly Dragons | 2015 - 2016 |
| Emporio Armani Milano | 2016 |
| Panathinaikos | 2014 - 2015 |
| Pınar Karşıyaka | 2013 - 2014 |
| Anadolu Efes | 2011 - 2013 |
| Fuenlabrada | 2009 - 2011 |
| Caja Laboral | 2011 |
| Libertad | 2009 |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | 2007 - 2008 |
| Triumph Lyubertsy | 2008 |
Atlanta
|
2005 - 2007 |
| Club Nacional de Football | 2004 - 2005 |
| Trouville | 2004 - 2005 |
| Aguas de Calpe | 2005 |
| Salto Uruguay | 2003 - 2004 |
| Pozuelo de Alarcón | 2004 |
| Club Atlético Welcome | 2001 - 2003 |
Career
Batista began his professional career in 2001 with Club Atlético Welcome in Uruguay. He played for various teams in Uruguay and Spain before making his way to the NBA.
In 2005, Batista signed with the Atlanta Hawks as an undrafted free agent, becoming the first Uruguayan to play in the NBA.
He played two seasons with the Hawks, appearing in 70 games and averaging 1.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game.
After his NBA stint, Batista had a successful career in Europe and Asia.
He played for top teams in Israel, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Greece, China, and Italy. Some of his notable achievements include winning the Italian League championship twice (2016, 2017), the Italian Cup (2016), the Greek Cup (2015), and the Turkish Cup (2014).
Batista also represented Uruguay in international competitions.
He won bronze medals at the 2003 and 2010 FIBA South American Championships, silver medals at the 2006 and 2008 FIBA South American Championships, and a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games.
In November 2024, Batista retired from Uruguay’s national team after a long and successful career representing his country.
Career Highlights:
- 2014 - Turkish Cup winner (Pınar Karşıyaka)
- 2015 - Greek Cup winner (Panathinaikos)
- 2016 - Italian League champion and Italian Cup winner (Emporio Armani Milano)
- 2017 - Italian League champion (Reyer Venezia)
Medal Record, Men’s Basketball Representing Uruguay
- Silver - 2006 FIBA South American Championship Caracas
- Silver - 2008 FIBA South American Championship Puerto Montt
- Bronze - 2003 FIBA South American Championship Montevideo
- Bronze - 2007 Pan American Games Rio de Janeiro
- Bronze - 2010 FIBA South American Championship Neiva
