Remembering Eli

There are some young people who leave a piece of themselves with a program forever. Eli Batista will always be one of them.

We will forever be grateful that Eli was part of Team Together. Having the opportunity to coach him, watch him grow, and share in his life meant more than we can put into words. From the little kid we first met to the young man he was becoming, it was a privilege to be part of his journey.

We will remember his smile. His energy. His good heart. The way he carried himself and the happiness he brought with him. Those are the things that stay with us long after a game ends or a season is over.

Looking back at these photos and videos, we see so much more than basketball. We see Eli smiling, competing, growing, and being himself. We see moments that may have felt ordinary at the time but now mean everything. Every image and every clip gives us another chance to remember someone we are deeply grateful to have known.

We wish we had more time. More games. More practices. More conversations. More chances to see that smile and watch him become the person he was growing into. We will always feel the absence of those moments, and we will cherish the ones we were fortunate enough to share.

At Team Together, we say “More Than Just Basketball.” Eli’s place in our hearts reminds us why those words matter. The relationships we build here reach beyond the court. The young people who wear our uniform become part of our family, and that connection does not end with a season.

To Eli’s family and loved ones: we hold you close in our hearts. Thank you for allowing us to share in his life. We know our memories are only one part of his story, and we will care for them, share them, and continue to speak his name with love.

As a program, we want to honor Eli through the opportunities we help create for others. Our goal for the Eli Batista Foundation is to support graduating senior players as they take their next steps into college as student-athletes. It is one way we hope to carry his memory forward and keep his name connected to the young people and community that mean so much to Team Together.

This page is a place to remember him—to return to his smile, revisit the moments we shared, and make sure future members of our program know that Eli will always belong here.

Eli, thank you for being part of our story. Thank you for the joy you brought and the memories we get to keep. Most of all, thank you for being you.

Forever part of our team. Forever part of our family. Forever in our hearts.

Long Live Eli. 💙

With love,
Your Team Together Family