Naismith Hall of Famer Rick Pitino is finalizing a to deal become head coach of EuroLeague power Panathinaikos of Greece, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Pitino's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been working with Panathinaikos ownership on a contract to coach the rest of the team's season, sources said.
Pitino's goal remains to return to the NBA as a head coach, and he has hopes that a return to pro basketball in Europe can be a stepping stone to achieving that.
The 66-year-old Pitino, fired a year ago amid an FBI probe at Louisville, will travel to Athens shortly after Christmas to take over a talented, but underachieving roster that includes several former NBA players, sources said.