The first Greek in the Naismith Hall of Fame
In September 2017, the "gangster" stepped up to the podium after a video that projected scenes from his career in the U.S. and Greece, wearing the Aris and National Team's Jerseys. Tony Kukoc, Vlade Divac, and Detlev Schrempf spoke about Nikos Galis with wonderful words. The Greek Hall of Famer was led by his great rival on the European courts in the 80s, the legendary NBAer Bob McAdoo, on the latter's own initiative.

"I would like to say that it is a great honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. A dream come true and here standing next to me is Bob McAdo0, one of the greatest players I've faced in my career. We have many great games in common. I want to thank my friends for following me here. They're like brothers to me. My old teammates at Seton Hall. Then, in Seton Hall, I couldn't have imagined I'd make it here. My dream was to play in the NBA, I was drafted by the Celtics along with the great Larry Bird. I had offers from several teams from Greece. Until then I didn't know there was basketball in Greece. Auerbach wanted me to stay, but I made a decision that I will never regret. in my life.

I went to Greece and in 1987 Greece won the European Championship. The whole nation took to the streets, basketball became a national sport and Greece became one of the top teams in European basketball. In that moment a basketball court was placed in every school yard and in every backyard. I am grateful for what I am living today.

It's not about winning titles, but about something else more important that I will reveal today. One day I was walking in my neighborhood in Thessaloniki and I was stopped by a lady. I thought she wanted a souvenir photo or an autograph. She called me "Niko, Niko", that's what they call me in Greece. She said " I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart because you saved my son, you gave him the greatest gift!" She then explained to me that her son was addicted to drugs but that he overcame it, found the meaning of life and became a basketball player. I want to thank my coaches and my teammates at Seton Hall, my club Aris in Thessaloniki for playing a catalytic role in my career, my wife and my daughter Stella".

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, Massachusetts, September 8 2017