Sylvain Francisco: 'Working with Obradovic is even better than I expected'

Sylvain Francisco, the 29-year-old French point guard, has expressed his excitement about training under legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic at Panathinaikos. In an interview with EuroLeague, Francisco admitted everything has exceeded his expectations, especially the meticulous drills and Obradovic's systematic approach. 'It's even better than I imagined,' Francisco said. 'The plays, various situations, and everything Obradovic wants to implement in offense and defense – it's all going smoothly. I'm happy to be part of this team.' This is Francisco's second stint in Greece; he previously played for Peristeri under Vassilis Spanoulis. After stints at Bayern Munich, Zalgiris Kaunas (contract until 2026), and ASVEL, he returned to a country he calls a second home. Francisco noted the strong French-speaking contingent at Panathinaikos – including Lessort, Yabusele, Fall, and others – which helps with cohesion. Francisco's style is ball-dominant, relying on pick-and-roll. The key challenge is fitting into Obradovic's structured, half-court system known for defensive discipline. At 29, Francisco is in his late prime, making this potentially his last big opportunity. EuroLeague season tips off September 24 against Paris Basketball. The article also touches on Francisco's off-court hobbies (anime, gaming, dancing, cooking), reflecting modern player branding. Overall, Francisco is optimistic, but as always, basketball is determined by performance, not preseason emotions.