Greek basketball legend Nikos Galis has publicly backed youth national team player Liza Itoya after she faced online racist abuse following Greece's gold medal victory at the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket Division B in Ioannina.
Itoya was the standout performer for the Greek squad throughout the tournament, which featured a victory against Norway in the semi-finals before Greece secured the championship gold on home soil.
Following the tournament, Itoya spoke out against racial discrimination, stating that half of Greeks might hate her simply because of the color of her skin. She revealed that critics had told her she does not deserve to play for Greece, treating her athletic value as if it were defined by her race.
The Greek-Nigerian player emphasized her deep commitment to representing Greece. She explained that while she could have chosen to play for Nigeria, she selected the country where she was born, grew up, and calls home.
Galis calls for unity across national teams
Galis, widely regarded as the greatest player in Greek basketball history, took to social media to support Itoya and fellow youth international Giorgos Monamas. He shared a series of photographs of young national team athletes accompanied by a message of solidarity.
Galis wrote that supporters should back the girls and boys who sweat in the blue and white jersey, adding that blue and white are the only colors that exist for Greece's national teams.
Galis is an iconic figure in European sports who famously led Greece to the 1987 European Championship title, an achievement that popularized basketball across the country. He has been inducted into both the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Rising talent and representation in Greek sports
Itoya's strong performances during the tournament highlighted her role as one of the key prospects in Greek women's basketball. Her leadership on the court was instrumental during the competition held in Ioannina, a major city in northwestern Greece.
Her experience touches on broader themes of identity and representation within Greek athletics. In recent years, high-profile Greek-Nigerian figures such as NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo have represented Greece internationally while fostering public discussion around inclusion and diversity in national sports.
The gold medal win in Ioannina marks an important milestone for the cadet national team as players continue their development in international competition with widespread backing from the basketball community.
