The NHIBT salutes coaches on National Coaches Day 2025
NHIBT HONORS COACHES ON NATIONAL COACHES DAY
[CHICAGO, IL USA] All of us have had at least one coach who has positively changed the trajectory of our athletic career, and perhaps helped shape our entire future. With that, today, on National Coaches Day (October 6), the Board of Directors, Advisory Committee and extended family and friends of the National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament honor those who’ve been involved with the tournament and who also coach on the high school or collegiate level.
The NHIBT also salutes the many volunteer coaches who mentor kids in the NHIBT, taking time out of their busy schedules and often funding trips for the kids out of their own pockets. You do this for the love of the game and in service to community!
Thank you all for devoting your time and wisdom to youth!
Below is a list of those we’re aware of who are affiliated with the NHIBT and currently coaching. If we’ve missed anyone, please let us know and we’ll update the list.
* HOF denotes NHIBT Hall of Fame inductee; between parenthesis are NHIBT team affiliations)
HOF Nick Balaban (St. Demetrios, Chicago), owner of Balaban Basketball clinc and head girls basketball coach at Lisle Senior H.S., IL
Seth Cooper (Group Home, Chicago) assistant basketball coach, NBA’s Golden State Warriors
HOF Billy Garner (YPSILANTI), assistant boys basketball coach at Lincoln Way West H.S., IL
Dimitri Georgatsos (St. Haralambos, IL), assistant girls basketball coach at Warren H.S. girls
HOF Greg Ktitsou (YPSILANTI, Chicago), owner and coach at Breakaway Basketball clinic
Francesca Kokkines (Papaflessas, Chicago), assistant girls basketball coach at Montini Catholic, IL
HOF Chris Kostourous (East Chicago, IN), owner and coach at CAPS basketball clinic
HOF Tanner Mitchell (YPSILANTI), Chicago), head boys basketball coach at Lincoln Way West H.S., IL
Jim Nazos, head boys basketball coach at Batavia H.S., IL.
HOF Aki Palmer (Denver AHEPA), head boys basketball coach at Ft. Collins H.S., Colorado
Niko Panousis (Indiana), Bosco Institute associate athletic director and head basketball coach (Indiana)
Jim Pappas (Chicago), school chief administrator and head men’s basketball coach at Elite Prep, Arizona. Son plays in the NHIBT
Shannon Spanos, head girls basketball coach at Montini Catholic H.S., IL. Philhellene whose daughter plays in the NHIBT with Papaflessas
HOF Conte Stamas (Garfield AHEPA), boys head coach at Brother Rice H.S. in Chicago
George Stavrakas (Player Sports, Chicago), coaches multiple sports and is head boys softball coach at Lane Tech H.S., Chicago
HOF Kirk Vidas (St. Demetrios Chicago), coaches multiple sports, including basketball, at Taft H.S., Chicago
At 96 years and counting, the NHIBT is America’s oldest and longest continuously-operating Greek basketball tournament, and second only to the Illinois High School Association tournament in terms of longevity for any basketball tournament in the United States and globally.
The 2026 NHIBT tournament is scheduled for March 27-29 at the Connect-44 facility in Lombard, Illinois.
For questions about entering a team or volunteering, email NHIBT.INC@gmail.com or phone 630.277.7641.
National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament in Chicago
NHIBT.com
Website: www.NHIBT.com
2026