The game is just the beginning.
Founded in 1991, Papaflessas is a youth basketball program that teaches skills and teamwork while fostering lifelong friendships and connecting players to their Hellenic heritage. We work with children from age 7 through 99 and compete in tournaments throughout the Chicago area and beyond. Our success comes from our focus on sportsmanship, trust, and, above all, fellowship and the joy of the game.
2026 Tournament Season Has Begun
With the excitement of our annual Glendi behind us, Papaflessas is officially underway with tournament season.
As our teams begin competing throughout the 2026 schedule, we are reminded that this time of year represents more than just games on a calendar. It marks growth, teamwork, commitment, and the continued development of our youth both on and off the court.
Tournament season is a time when athletes challenge themselves, build resilience, and strengthen the bonds formed through practices and shared experiences. It is also a time when families and our community come together to support and encourage the next generation.
We extend our best wishes to all Papaflessas athletes as they represent our organization with pride, sportsmanship, and integrity throughout the season.
Relive the Celebration
As we begin this exciting chapter, we invite you to revisit the joy of our recent Glendi celebration.
You can also read our official organizational message reflecting on the Glendi and the start of the season here:
Interested in Joining or Supporting?
Tournament season is just getting started, and there is always room to grow our Papaflessas family.
If you are interested in joining a team, supporting our youth programs, sponsoring an upcoming event, or learning more about our mission, we encourage you to reach out.
Together, we continue building a strong foundation rooted in faith, tradition, and community.
We look forward to an inspiring and successful 2026 season ahead.
Our Athletes on the Illinois High School Basketball Stage
Another weekend of Hellenic youth representing their communities through basketball.
This weekend Papaflessas Basketball returned to Detroit to participate in the OYAA Tournament, bringing together Orthodox youth from across the region for a weekend of competition, fellowship, and community.
At the same time, it was exciting to see Papaflessas athletes competing on the Illinois high school stage.
Costa Kampas and John Vlahos of York High School faced Marist High School Chicago RedHawks boys basketball led by Adoni Vassilakis in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) semi-finals. Marist went on to defeat York and later dominate Benet Academy to win its first Illinois High School Association basketball state championship.
Congratulations to Marist High School Chicago and Adoni on this historic accomplishment, and to all Hellenic athletes who competed this weekend in both the OYAA tournament and the IHSA playoffs.
Moments like these remind us how strong our basketball community truly is.
Συγχαρητήρια σε όλους τους αθλητές!
So Much More than the Game
We believe that growing a deeper connection to our Hellenic heritage is just as important as winning on the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to learn more about our programs and what your child can expect? Read our Parent FAQ
Get Involved
We welcome all players and our programs are provided at no cost. Learn how you can support our programs.