By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
On the occasion of the friendly game between Greece and Slovenia that will take place tonight ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the 66-year-old legendary Greek player Nikos Galis will be honored with his 1987 EuroBasket jersey which will ascend in OAKA.
Eurohoops Academy Director and Euroleague Legend Theodoros Papaloukas, talking on the EOK WebRadio of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, expressed his gratitude towards such an important figure for Greek basketball.
“Back then, I was 10. We did not see ourselves as making a professional career yet. However, the national team was the reason we were drawn to the court and made us want to be like those players. We watched them play and tried to copy their moves. We were not following to become professional basketball players. We might be dreaming about it, but we followed to play and that gave us joy, made us feel well”, he first said about that 1987 EuroBasket.
“I think Nikos Galis, because he grew up in the USA, introduced new aspects of the game in Greece, on and off the court. Certainly, investments are required to develop anything. Also, success and additional platforms for more people to watch, and get more sponsors involved. Galis was one of the main reasons behind all this happening in Greece. If we must pick out one single person with the greatest influence, he was Nikos Galis. Thinking about it, talking about him after so many years, we can realize his influence”, Theo Papaloukas added.
Finally, he went on to praise Nikos Galis. “In any event with him present and honored, I tried to be there. I am fortunate enough to have met and talked with him on multiple occasions. You are in awe of his presence. My generation really did grow up with Nikos Galis. We used his moves and tried to add as much to his game to the best of our abilities. His stature was a motivation for us. Overall, he is a person that does say much, but a few and important. For me, being with him in the same room and sharing things was a dream come true”, the former Olympiacos and CSKA Moscow player said.
PHOTO CREDIT: EuroLeague
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