Official: Paris Basketball announces T.J. Shorts’ departure, Panathinaikos confirms his arrival

Paris Basketball just experienced the finest season in its young history and the page is already turning. This Tuesday, the Parisian club announced the departure of its iconic point guard T.J. Shorts (1.75 m, 27 years old), who won the French championship this Sunday. As announced by Panathinaikos Athens coach Ergin Ataman, the North Macedonian international has signed with the Greek club, seven-time EuroLeague champion.

Merci pour tout @TjShorts5 🐐🙏

Le club te souhaite le meilleur dans la suite de ta carrière 🖤❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/ZMcZkf5K98

— Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) June 26, 2025

A legend of Paris Basketball and French championship

Arriving in summer 2023, T.J. Shorts only needed two seasons to leave an indelible mark on Paris Basketball’s history. Winner of the 2024 EuroCup, 2024 Leaders Cup, 2025 French Cup, and most importantly the 2025 French championship, the American point guard collected collective trophies with the capital’s club.

But it’s also individually that the Irvine (California) native shone brightest. MVP of the 2024 Leaders Cup, 2023-2024 EuroCup MVP, 2024 EuroCup Finals MVP, 2025 Betclic ELITE Finals MVP, Regular Season MVP two years in a row, and even third in the 2024-2025 EuroLeague MVP voting, T.J. Shorts dominated French and European courts.

« It clearly wasn’t my easiest decision to leave Paris Basketball, » he says in the farewell video published by the capital’s club on social media. « It’s not goodbye but ‘see you later’ to the Parisians, » he added.

An instant legend of Paris Basketball, T.J. Shorts also enters the pantheon of the best foreign players to have played in France. His departure leaves an immense void, but also the legacy of a player who propelled the Porte de La Chapelle club among European basketball’s references.

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A new chapter at Panathinaikos Athens

Courted by the biggest continental teams, T.J. Shorts chose to sign with Panathinaikos Athens, 2024 EuroLeague champions. The Greek club has officially announced his arrival. A new massive challenge for a player who keeps pushing boundaries. At 27, he will now try to establish himself among the European elite, this time in EuroLeague.

In Paris, his name will remain associated with a golden generation, one that brought the club into a new era. And which may have written the first page of a great dynasty.

𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑻𝑱 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 ☘️

Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός AKTOR ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του Τι Τζέι Σορτς ΙΙ για τα επόμενα δύο χρόνια.

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Panathinaikos BC AKTOR is pleased to announce the signing of TJ Shorts II on a two-year contract… pic.twitter.com/v26B5vzrIn

— Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) June 26, 2025