[CHICAGO, IL, USA) For about a half century, the first face you saw upon entering a gym hosting the annual National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament was that of Lynne Bouzeos. She was waiting at the front desk – whether it be Cicero Stadium or Fenwick High School or a few other gyms throughout the years – with a wide smile and warm embrace. In our hearts, she was the “First Lady of the NHIBT.”
On January 23, at the age of 97, she passed peacefully in South Florida. She will be sorely missed.
Phil and Lynne (c. 1980’s)
Lynne was married for 63 years to Phil Bouzeos, a former Champion athletic apparel account executive and equipment manager for the then Chicago Cardinals NFL team. Phil and his brother Tom Bouzeos ran the tournament on and off and/or together for the last half of the 20th century and into the second decade of the 21st. The Bouzeos brothers are synonymous with all-things NHIBT. Both were present at the inaugural tournament in 1933 and both are NHIBT Hall of Famers and Honorary Stewards.
While Tom and Phil (both now deceased) were the public faces of the tournament, everyone associated knows Lynne was instrumental to operations. From taking 20 to 50 phone calls, forwarding messages and accepting packages and other items, working the front desk of course and also cooking for a dozen or more guys and gals once a year as we took hours upon hours to finalize brackets, game times and gyms, little would have been accomplished without Lynne’s devotion and literally thousands of hours of volunteer work throughout the decades. She became a defacto mother figure to hundreds of NHIBT players and others.
Born Russian Orthodox Christian, Lynne and her Greek American husband Phil had three children of their own – Dean, Dawn, and Darcy. Each went on to become high achievers and outstanding members of the community. Combined, they produced five grandchildren and six great grandchildren for Phil and Lynne.
The only shot Lynne ever took at an NHIBT tournament. Fenwick H.S. (c. 2015). We coaxed her into it, for posterity. Glad we got the shot
A “Celebration of Life” memorial service for Lynne is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 11 am at Riverside Country Club, 2520 S. Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL.
May Lynne’s memory and loving spirit cast a giant beacon for all eternity.
The 2025 NHIBT is scheduled for March 28-30 in Lombard, IL.
[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.
George receiving a trophy in a 1990’s tournament
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.
George made many headlines back in the day
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 the Chicago Bulls brought in George to officiate practices and better acquaint players with rules philosophy. Two of George’s closest friends were former Bulls center Dave Corzine and Joe Ponsetto, former chief of Special Prosecutions for the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Both men were DePaul University basketball stars and local area products who played with George in various tournaments and leagues.
Left photo: Geore posing courtside with civil rights activist Jesse Jackson in the 90’s. Right photo: George along with close friends and Chicago basketball icons Dave Corzine (white shirt) and Joe Ponsetto
In his private life, George was married to first wife Mary Jane and the two produced two children, daughter Nicole and son Tom. George later married 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.
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[BOSTON, MA, USA]: The National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament congratulates the Papaflessas women’s team! We’re proud to announce that they are the 2024 Women’s Open Division champions at the Teddy-K Classic Tournament that took place May 8-12, 2024 at Hellenic College in Brookline, MA.
Team Papaflessas at the Teddy K Classic
The team made history as the first team from Chicago to win and the first team outside the east coast! Basketball continues to unite them, but their bond off-court is what truly shines.
Thank you to all players for representing our Chicago Hellenic basketball community with pride, and a shout-out to the tourney committee! We wish you continued success in all your future endeavors and look forward to seeing you again soon!
Warmly, we are sincerely yours, NHIBT Board Members
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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.
Aki Palmer (pictured here coaching club basketball in CSU’s Moby Arena) has been hired as the new Fort Collins High School boys basketball coach. He is an FCHS alumnus and former CSU basketball player. PROVIDED BY AKI PALMER
Fort Collins High School has a new boys basketball coach and it’s a familiar one for longtime local hoops fans.
Lambkins’ alumnus and former Colorado State player Aki Palmer has been hired as the next FCHS boys coach, athletic director Kyle Tregoning said Tuesday.
“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to lead the Fort Collins High School boys basketball program,” Palmer said. “Basketball has always been a significant part of my life and I am eager to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with the next generation of student-athletes at my alma mater.”
Palmer played at Fort Collins in the mid-1990s and was the program’s all-time assists leader. After a junior college stint, the point guard was a two-year starter at CSU from 1999-2001, averaging eight points and three assists per game.
He’s spent the past decade coaching club basketball in Northern Colorado and is also the executive director at Cushman & Wakefield in commercial real estate.
“His excitement to come back to his alma mater was just unbelievable,” Tregoning said. “He wants it to be a special place where players feel like they belong and want to be a part of it.”
One of Palmer’s two sons will also be entering Fort Collins High School this upcoming year.
Palmer takes over for Bruce Dick, who went 46-28 (with a 2023 Great 8 berth) in his three seasons, turning around a Lambkins program that was 24-60 the previous four seasons.
Fort Collins parted ways with Dick last month, citing a desire for a coach more involved in building all levels of Lambkins basketball, including the junior varsity and “C” teams.
“He checked all the boxes in the interview with what we were looking for,” Tregoning said of Palmer.
Fort Collins loses three of its top five scorers from this past season’s Class 6A playoff squad, including all-state second-teamer/leading 6A scorer Jayce King.
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Papaflessas women’s team, representing the NHIBT at the 2023 Supreme AHEPA Convention in Las Vegas
The National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament is thrilled to announced that a Chicagoland team triumphed in the women’s division at the 101st AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, held July 23-29 in Las Vegas.
A resounding congratulations to all the talented and dedicated girls who made this achievement possible. Your hard work and commitment have made our NHIBT organization, family, and community extremely proud.
Another Chicago entry at the Vegas tournament, sponsored by Papaflessas
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the AHEPA committee for their exceptional organization of this event and the entire convention week. We also want to express our appreciation to everyone who supported our ladies’ team throughout this journey.
To all the participants, congratulations on your remarkable efforts. We wish you continued success in all your future endeavors and look forward to seeing you again soon!
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[CHICAGO, IL, USA] The Chicago Greek community is beaming with pride this week as one of our own was recently selected to play for the National Juniors basketball team for Greece! At just 15 years of age, Deerfield High School(Ilinois) All-State player Nicolette “Nikki’ Kerstein, a National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament (NHIBT) standout as well, traveled to New York this Spring for the Greek SuperLeague Athletic Academy basketball showcase event, organized by James Pristouris. Members of Federation of Greece Athletics were on hand to scout players whom they hope will one day represent Greece in the highest levels of international competition. Nikki was the only player, male or female, chosen to join the national team at this time.
Already the news has hit the Motherland, with Nikki getting featured on ANT TV in Greece. “I was really excited to be selected, and also being the only player picked,” Nikki told us. “It’s an awesome opportunity.”
Nikki, A 5’8 point guard, is a lightning-quick, silky-smooth ball handler, deft passer, ferocious defender, and as an added bonus is arguably the best shooter in the entire state of Illinois, having gone downstate her freshman year for the annual three point shootout. She’s so advanced, both physically and talent-wise, for her age group, we’ve been informed Greece might even play her at times with squads two to three years above her age level.
“That girl puts in the work,” said Deerfield girls head coach Nicole Keith. “She could have a bad shooting night and then go right back in the gym. She’s determined to shoot 1000 shots in and above what’s required in practice. She’s the first one in the gym, her and her sister, and last ones to leave. Nikki won the 100% effort award at our school. She truly embodies that you play how you practice. She’s going 100%. She deserves all that she’s receiving. I’m so incredibly honored to have her.”
We asked the coach about demeanor. “She’s very stoic so you’d never know the emotions going on in her,” revealed Keith. “Nikki was quiet in her own right. She led by her play. But there were moments when someone said something and Nikki knew when she was right and she’d correct it. She’s the quiet assassin. Even last year as a freshman, you’d never know, in close games, she’s never shaken.”
The coach continued with effusive praise. “She also has a very high IQ. Sees the floor incredibly well. She can play the point and shooting guard. She’s hitting at a high percentage of her shots. Knows where to be with or without the ball. I think she’s got so much untapped upside.”
Nikki and her older sister, Alexis “Lexi” Kerstein, this past winter led Deerfield to its first-ever trip to the Final 4, playing in one of the state’s most talent-rich regions. Lexi, also an All-State selection, graduated high school in May and will continue her basketball career at the University of Vermont this Fall. She may at some point join Team Greece but for now her college commitment, which begins in August, precludes her from competing.
The Kerstein sisters were sensations from their freshman year on, gaining All-State recognition. As a freshman and sophomore, Nikki accomplished something no other player in the state matched: She’s the only player to record 500 or more points, shoot 50-percent or better, record more than 125 assists, more than 125 steals, more than 125 rebounds, and less than 2.0 turnovers per game. Nikki also maintains a 3.9 GPA out of 4.0. She plays for Illinois Elite in the AAU, and has already been offered 31 college scholarships and counting.
The two girls come from a rich athletic tradition. Their father, Greek American William Kerstein, was an All-American football running back at Deerfield in the late 80’s who signed to play at Miami University in Florida. “It’s like a family reunion on the walls of our school, with all the pictures of dad, Lexi, and now me too,” said Nikki, who’s also played a few games at her mom’s alma mater. Her dad was also MVP of the high school division of the Harry Agganis Memorial Basketball Tournament in Massachusetts, the nation’s second-largest and second longest-running national Greek tournament. William’s grandfather, Pakia native John Kaulentis, is an NHIBT Hall-of-Famer. The girls’ mother, Anastasia “Tasia” Georganas Kerstein, is a former state champion and All-State basketball player at Maine West High School who went on to become a four-year starter at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Tasia is also well-known for singing in her father Ionnis “John” Georganas’ popular Greek band, the Opa Orchestra. John, who hails from Icalia, was one of the finest bouzouki players in the states.
Back to hoops, Nikki relates the experience playing with, and sometimes competing against her older sister. “We’re always pushing one another to be better. It’s definitely competitive. It’s good to push each other. Brings out the better sides of our games. But we’re always supporting each other at the same time. She promotes me and I love talking about her too.” Their coach chimed in, “There’s a rivalry. They’re very competitive. There’s some sister moments where I had to step in on a couple occasions. But they have great respect for each other on that court.”
Favorite thing about Greece? “It looks amazing,” Nikki said. “The art and temples and relics. The culture going back thousands of years, the great thinkers and philosophers, is really inspirational. And my mom told me so much about Mykonos I just have to visit. My favorite movie is Mama Mia. Me, Lexi and my mom have seen it maybe 100 times and the scenes in Greece are incredible. We can sing every line of the movie. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is another go-to film. Once you see those images, you think wow I just have to go there.”
As most youngsters are wont to do at her age, she likes to hang out with friends “driving around, movies, social media.” But what does Nikki love most about basketball? “It’s really a place where I can let everything go,” revealed Nikki. “It’s almost like I’m stress free, not a care in the world.”
In preparation for Greece and European tournaments, Nikki has hit up Google translate “a lot, trying to figure out common sentences. At least the main words so I can try to communicate and interact better in the native language. That’s going to be a big part of my experience. Since New York, I’ve made an effort to read up on basketball in Europe too. I feel like it’s going to be a different style and I’m bringing a different style. Hopefully I can bring something new to them and we can we can all learn from each other.”
The Kerstein girls played for Papaflessas in the NHIBT and at the Detroit Pan Orthodox Tournament.
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