Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv upgraded the talent and depth of its frontline with the signing of center Esteban Batista for two seasons, the club announced Sunday. Batista (208, 24) becomes the first Uruguayan to join a Euroleague side.

He comes to Tel Aviv after starting the preseason with the Boston Celtics with whom he took part in the NBA Europe Live events earlier this month in Spain and England.

He spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 70 games.