Tag Archive for: greek basketball

Lynne Bouzeos, NHIBT’s welcoming warmth

[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 bouzeos, lynne bouzeos, nhibt, greek basketball, national hellenic invitational basketball tournament

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.

lynne bouzeos, nhibt, greek basketball, national hellenic invitational basketball tournament, chicago

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.

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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.

george demos, nhibt, greek basketball, national hellenic invitational basketball tournament

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 demos, nhibt, greek basketball, chicago basketball, national hellenic invitational basketball tournament

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.

george demos, chicago basketball, jesse jackson, joe ponsetto, dave corzine, nhibt, national hellenic invitational basketball tournament, chicago bulls

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.

Click here for obituary

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NHIBT WOMEN SHINE IN BOSTON, CLAIM TEDDY K TOURNAMENT TITLE!

[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

NHIBT, Inc. from Chicago, IL, USA

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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. 
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NHIBT 2023 Scholarships

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NHIBT supports memory of Demetri Itsines

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