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The Atlanta Hawks signed 6-foot-10 forward/center Esteban Batista, it was announced today by Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Batista would become the first native of Uruguay to play in the NBA.

“Esteban is an interesting player,” Knight said. “He’s a good rebounder, and is physical around the basket, and those are elements our team needs. We feel he’s a guy that can improve, and we look forward to working with him.”

“This is the happiest day of my life,” Batista said. “It’s a proud and historic moment for me, and for my country.”

In late August and early September, Batista represented his home country in the 2005 FIBA Americas Championship, where he led the tournament grabbing 15.6 rpg, adding 18.0 ppg (t8th in the tourney) along with 1.0 bpg, in 34.3 mpg. He hit .544 of his field goals (4th).

The 22-year-old Batista spent most of last season with Trouville (Uruguay), where he appeared in 40 games, and averaged 20.1 ppg and 15.0 rpg. He also spent time with Liceo Mixto Los Andes (Chile). In 2003, Batista saw action with Salto Uruguay, averaging 16.4 ppg in 28 contests. He also played for Pozuelo (Spain).

Uruguay is a South American nation of approximately 3.5 million people, bordered by Brazil to the North, Argentina to the West and the Atlantic Ocean to the South. Batista is one of 16 current NBA from Latin America and Spain (including four who will be rookies in 2005-06).

Esteban Damian Batista Hernandez was born September 2, 1983. He will wear uniform #11.