,

NHIBT’s Demos lit up rooms and scoreboards

[CHICAGO, IL, USA] The National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament in late 2024 lost another of its bright lights with the passing of NHIBT Hall of Famer George Demos. The committee deeply mourns his passing as George was beloved by all and could light up a meeting or a scoreboard lightning quick with his wide smile, lively conversational style, merry demeanor, and pinpoint long-range accuracy.

A graduate of Sullivan H.S. on Chicago’s far north side in the late 1960’s, George was an absolute phenom his senior season, averaging 39 points per game and earning top All-City honors. In an era before the three-point line, George routinely launched 20 to 24-foot long-range shots and piled up points at a rapid pace. Glance at the crowd for a minute and boom, George just added another 8 points. Had the three-point line been in effect, he likely would have averaged 45 his senior year. George went on to star at the University of Illinois Chicago when it was located at Navy Pier.

After college, George worked as a Chicago Park District facilities supervisor for 20 years. He also became a prolific referee, working his way up to officiate major NCAA Division I hoops. Additionally, for four decades all the way through his last days, he served on the NHIBT board and was in charge of officiating assignments.

George played in various recreational leagues well into his 60’s. Very few loved the game or were a more devoted hard-court junkie than George. If there were a game being played, chances are George was behind it or out front. You always got the sense of action with George around.

In the early 2000’s, the NBA tinkered with its rules and brought in George to officiate practices and better acquaint players with rules philosophy. Two of George’s closest friends were former Chicago Bulls center Dave Corzine and former DePaul University star Joe Ponsetto, both local area products who played with George in various tournaments and leagues.

In his private life, George was married to first wife Mary Jane and the two produced two children, daughter Nicole and son Tom. After divorce, George married his second wife, Bonnie, a former world-class martial artist, and the two were inseparable throughout the remainder of his days.

A friend and mentor to many, a generous soul and warm human being, George will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, shooter. May your memory be eternal.

Click here for obituary

/by
,

Pro sports agent George Andrews blazed path for Greek Americans

George Andrews (in suit and tie) watches his client Magic Johnson celebrate the Los Angeles Lakers’ 1981 NBA title

[CHICAGO, IL, USA] The Greek American community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest sports trailblazers, George James Andrews (1949-2024). A native of Elmhurst, IL who graduated York High School and the University of Illinois, Andrews passed away last week. During the past few years, he had been serving on the board of the National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament (NHIBT) and had become an instrumental contributor.
     Andrews was the first and most prominent Greek American professional sports player agent. In his heyday (late 70’s through mid-90’s), he boasted a blue-chip client roster that rivaled any agent in sports. Two of his most widely-known clients were NBA Hall of Fame players Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Isiah Thomas. Andrews was with Magic, a Lakers great, when the team won its first NBA championship under Magic, with Magic being awarded Finals MVP honors.
     Among Andrews’ non-basketball clients was Evelyn Ashford, the top female track star in the world during the time she was represented by Andrews.
     Other notables represented by Andrews are NBA greats Reggie Theus, Mark Aguirre, and Rolando Blackman, and standouts Jim Brewer, Jerry Sichting, Derek Harper, and Nick Weatherspoon. Andrews, Harper, and Weatherspoon are all fellow University of Illinois at Champaign alumni. Andrews, who friends described as a basketball junkie who was always in the gym, served as equipment manager for Illini men’s basketball. He later earned a JD at Illinois in addition to his undergrad.
     Later in his career, Andrews switched sides to join the front office of the Memphis Grizzlies, then an expansion NBA franchise. Andrews helped ownership get started on firm footing.
     One of his Greek associates, Michigan State University head basketball coach and later top team broadcaster Gus Ganakas, became a mentor to Andrews and opened doors in the Spartans family. Andrews would later gain introduction to young Earvin Johnson, a budding MSU superstar about to win an NCAA championship. Johnson became one of his first clients. Another Greek hoops connection is Ganakas’ son Gary Ganakas, who played in and later was inducted into the NHIBT Hall of Fame.
     The Andrews wake is set for Monday from 4 to 8 pm at Westchester Conboy Funeral Home in Illinois. The funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 am, beginning at Holy Apostles Church with internment at Elmwood Cemetery. For more details, visit his Chicago Sun-Times obituary. 
/by

Reuben Norris – bio

Affectionately known around the state of Illinois and Chicago as the Godfather of basketball officials.

He has officiated basketball across the country for over 50 years including The NBA ,major college,high school, and the NHIBT at Cicero Stadium, Fenwick, St Andrew’s, and St. Patrick HS.

This will be the 11th Hall of Fame induction for him.

During the 1970’s he dabbled in coaching winning the Boston Shootout and other National tourneys .

The last 20 years he has been employed by the CPS system at Dr.MLK College Prep.

Reuben is from Evansville,Indiana and went to Knoxville College on a football scholarship.

After serving 2 years in the Service he came to Chicago to see his aunt and luckily he has been here ever since.

He is a member of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church where he and his beautiful wife Wanda serve the Lord diligently.

By the way she is an accomplished official too!!

He reffed many games with George Demos,a fellow Hall of Famer,and was in the movie “Hoop Dreams”.

He is the father of 5 grown children and is humbled to be the first ref to be inducted into the NHIBT Hall of Fame .

By his best memory he reffed the NHIBTVChampionshop game over 20 times!!

/by

Barb Atsaves Pabst

As an All-American at Niles West High School, her girls basketball team won the Illinois High School State Championship and she received many local, regional and state accolades.

Barb received a full scholarship to play at DePaul University in Chicago and started every game in her four year career. She was a two time captain and led the team in scoring three of her four years. She graduated as the all-time record holder in total points scored, as well as leader in assists, steals, field goals and field goals attempted. She has been inducted into the DePaul Hall of Fame, the Niles West Hall of Fame and in the Illinois High School Hall of Fame with her State Championship team.

After retiring from WGN Radio after 25 years, she was recruited to run both the Niles West girls and boys 6 th , 7 th and 8 th grade feeder basketball programs of which she also coached for many years. She is a lifelong member of St. Demetrios of Chicago and she has lived most of her life in Lincolnwood, IL where she and her husband, Bill, raised their children Johnny, Tricia and Andrew.

/by

Nick (Williams) Giannoules

Nick was raised in Chicago/Stoney Island. He attended Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, where he was introduced to Greek basketball. His memories of the NHIBT go back to elementary school where he was a spectator and fan and eventually competed for nearly 15 years. Nick recently retired from the City of Chicago after 30 years. In addition to playing Nick also coached the St. Connie’s Men’s Team for years.

Nick believes the best things about the NHIBT are the lifelong friendships and connections that are made. He is honored to be nominated along with his teammates Jim Apostolos and Ted Cachampis.

/by

Theodore “Teddy” Cachampis

Theodore “Teddy” Cachampis was born on May 23, 1956, and baptized at Annunciation Cathedral of Chicago.

After moving to the Southside in 1963 he was enrolled at Koraes Elementary School at St. Constantine & Helen. Later he attended George Washington and Mt. Caramel High School.

Ted played basketball from 1967-1982 for St. Constantine & Helen in Palos Hills, Illinois. He was a teammate of two fellow inductees, Jim Apostolos and Nick Giannoules.

Currently, Ted is married to Cheryl and the proud father of four children attending St. Nicholas Parish in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Some personal thoughts from Teddy: “I appreciate being recognized by the NHIBT Committee. Their efforts to keep Greek basketball alive and thriving should be applauded. I am honored to be inducted  into the Hall of Fame along with two of my teammates.

/by

Peter Balis – Bio

Peter Balis was born in Sparta, Greece. His family immigrated to the west side of Chicago when he was 4 years old. He went to Chicago Public Schools, and learned how to play sports by emulating what he watched on TV. The first organized sport he played was 6 th grade basketball at Holy Trinity. If the church didn’t have a gym, he honestly wouldn’t have spent much time there. If anyone was looking for him during those years they could find him competing at his playground or at the Holy Trinity gym. It was clear early on that Peter was a competition junkie and destined to become a gym and/or field rat.

His childhood dream was to become a Major League baseball player. That said, he never played little league baseball; the first time he played organized baseball was during freshman tryouts at Lane Tech High School. Lane had great teams and during his senior year they competed in the City Championships that were played at Old Comiskey Park (Home of the White Sox).

He never tried out for or played high school basketball. Instead, he was fortunate to have met mentors at age 15 that are probably most responsible for Peter playing professionally in Greece. Tom Williams was a Chicago cop and Mitch Chuck was the AD at Orr High School. Both saw something in Peter, and they let him fill in on the men’s league teams they ran. At first, the lumps he received from all the great players he played against were humbling, and extremely frustrating. As he got older, bigger, stronger, and smarter, he evolved from a fill-in player to a regular on those teams. Peter began dishing out his own lumps to some of those same guys as the years passed! He was always a student of the sports he played, but the basketball / life lessons that he gained during his teen and adolescent years were a blessing. He learned what it took to prepare for competition, and what you had to do mentally and physically to win. Peter can’t thank Tom and Mitch enough for the impact they made on his life!!

He was a late-bloomer, and not recruited by any big college programs. He paid his own way throughcollege, with only one goal….fulfill his little kid dream of professional baseball. Most of his college career was spent at North Park College in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood. While there Peter played baseball, basketball, soccer, and in his senior year, he was the place kicker for an 0 – 9 football team!!!

At the end of his college career, Peter was drafted by the Cleveland Indians and competed in their minor league system. His road to the Big Leagues was cut much shorter than he ever expected. He was released and didn’t know what his next move was going to be. A month later, he was contacted by the head basketball coach of Olimpiakos, Steve (Young) Yiatzoglou. Steve was a superstar player in Greece and gave Peter his first shot. Playing for Olimpiakos his rookie season was a whirlwind. Steve was a warrior when he played, and he coached with that same mentality, perfectly aligned with Peter’s style.

He was also fortunate that one of his Chicago heroes Kirk Vidas, took him under his wing that year. One of the most mind boggling parts of his rookie year experience was competing against Kirk (Ilisiakos) and Danny Nikitas (Apollon Patras). 3 Greek kids from Chicago were competing professionally in Greece’s A1 Basketball League…truly awesome!

His career in Greece spanned 10 years. The majority of those years spent with Panionios, which included multiple seasons competing in Europe’s Korac Cup Championship; one year advancing to the Elite 8. The climax of Peter’s athletic career was winning the Greek Cup in 1991, which also gave Panionios an opportunity to compete in the European Cup Winners Championship the following 91-92 season. His only goal during the trek overseas was to win a title, which was accomplished with those great Panionios teams.

Those years in Greece were special for many reasons. Peter played with and against great Greek, European, and NBA players. The list is way too long, but players like Nick Gallis, Fani Christodoulou, Toni Kukoc, Zarko Paspaliej, Dominique Wilkens, Eddie Johnson, Antonio Davis, etc. Peter was able to travel all over the world and experience different cultures first hand. These athletic experiences have made him who is today.

On a personal level, Peter has 4 adult children. Oldest daughter Taylor and her husband Chris Oakland live in the western suburbs of Chicago, and have blessed their family with two grandchildren, Nora and Charlie. His other daughter Arden lives and works in Dallas, TX, and two sons Vaughn and Alex live and work in Northern Virginia.

/by

Jim Apostolos – Bio

Jim Apostolos is a proud member of a great group at St. Connie’s on the South Side of Chicago. He feels blessed to have had wonderful experiences through his community of Koraes School, G.O.Y.A and the Sons of Pericles. Jim remembers his first time playing at Cicero Stadium and how special he knew it was and meeting Jim Londos! Jim is proud and humbled to accept this nomination with his teammates Nick Giannoules and Ted Cachampis and wishes NHIBT legends and great such as Steve Pappas, George Sfondels, Gus Sperakes along with Fr. Byron were around to share this memory.

/by

George Kollias – Bio

Read more
/by

Galanopoulos Mike – Bio

Read more
/by