Aquatics •
Greg Louganis – Olympic diving champion (Greek by adoption; ethnically Samoan and Swedish) •
Christina Loukas – Olympic diver
Baseball •
Harry "the Golden Greek" Agganis –
Boston University's first-ever football All-American and professional baseball player for the
Boston Red Sox. •
Peter Angelos –
MLB owner of the
Baltimore Orioles and former basketball player. •
Alex Anthopoulos – GM of
Atlanta Braves and former GM of
Toronto Blue Jays. •
Annastasia Batikis – played in the
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1945 •
Jim Baxes - Dimitrios Speros "Jim" Baxes (1928-1996) was a second baseman and third baseman in the MLB. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians. Brother of Mike Maxes. •
Mike Baxes - Michael Baxes (1930-2023) played as a second baseman and shortstop for the Kansas City Athletics in the 1950s. Brother of Jim Baxes. •
Clay Bellinger – MLB played for the
New York Yankees and
Anaheim Angels •
Cody Bellinger – All-Star Outfielder for
Los Angeles Dodgers and
National League Rookie of the Year in
2017. •
Cole Bellinger – Pitcher. 2017 draft pick of
San Diego Padres •
Tim Birtsas - Pitcher for
Cincinnati Reds and
Oakland Athletics •
Peter Bourjos – MLB outfielder for
Los Angeles Angels,
St. Louis Cardinals,
Tampa Bay Rays and
Atlanta Braves. •
Al Campanis – MLB player and executive of the
Los Angeles Dodgers •
Jim Campanis - MLB player for
Los Angeles Dodgers,
Kansas City Royals and
Pittsburgh Pirates. Son of Al Campanis. •
Bob Chakales - pitcher for 5 different MLB teams between 1951-57. •
Ria Cortesio – professional baseball umpire •
Angelo Dagres - played for
Baltimore Orioles for one month, September 1955. •
Jim Essian - catcher for 5 different MLB teams between 1973-84. Was manager of
Greek National Baseball Team. •
Charles Peter "Greek" George - catcher from 1935-45 for 4 MLB teams. •
George Glinatsis - pitched briefly for
Seattle Mariners in 1994. •
Alex Grammas – MLB manager and infielder for
St. Louis Cardinals,
Cincinnati Reds and the
Chicago Cubs. •
Alex Kampouris - 1st Greek American to play in MLB. 2B/3B, played for 4 MLB teams between 1934-43. •
Eric Karros – former MLB player for the
Los Angeles Dodgers, and now a baseball broadcaster •
Gus Keriazakos - pitcher for 3 MLB teams between 1950-55. •
Bobby Kingsbury – MLB player for the
Pittsburgh Pirates •
Chris Kitsos - SS played in 1 inning of an MLB game for Chicago Cubs in 1954. 13 years in minor leagues. •
George Kontos – MLB pitcher with the
San Francisco Giants •
Paul Kostacopoulos – Head baseball coach at U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD •
George Kottaras – catcher for 7 MLB teams including:
Milwaukee Brewers,
Oakland Athletics,
Kansas City Royals and
Cleveland Indians. •
Andrew Lambo - OF/1B for Oakland and Pittsburgh from 2013-16. •
Chris Lemonis – Head coach of
Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball. •
Kay Lionikas – played in the
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1948–1950 •
Billy Loes – MLB Pitcher for the
Dodgers,
Baltimore Orioles and
San Francisco Giants from 1950-61. •
Nick Markakis – MLB outfielder who currently plays for the
Atlanta Braves •
Tino Martinez – former MLB
first baseman for the N.Y. Yankees (Greek mother) •
Aaron Miles – MLB player for the
St. Louis Cardinals,
Chicago White Sox, and
Colorado Rockies (paternal grandmother) •
Daniel Moskos - pitcher for
Pittsburgh Pirates and pitching coach for
Chicago Cubs and
Miami Marlins. •
Mike Moustakas – MLB player for the
Kansas City Royals •
Pete Naktenis - pitcher for 2 teams between 1936-39. •
Gus Niarhos – MLB
Yankees,
White Sox,
Red Sox,
Phillies •
Erik Pappas – MLB catcher for the
Chicago Cubs and the
St. Louis Cardinals. •
Milt Pappas – MLB pitcher for the
Baltimore Orioles and
Cincinnati Reds and other teams •
Chris Pelekoudas - MLB umpire from 1960-75. Father of Lee Pelekoudas. •
Lee Pelekoudas - MLB executive for
Seattle Mariners and son of Chris Pelekoudas. •
June Peppas –
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League 1948–1954 •
Kevin Pickford - pitched for
San Diego Padres in 2002. •
Lou Skizas – MLB player for NY Yankees (1956), Kansas City Athletics (1956–57), Detroit Tigers (1958), Chicago White Sox (1959) •
Sean Spencer - pitched for 2 teams between 1999-2000. Pitched for Greek National Baseball team in 2004 Olympics. •
George Theodore – MLB outfielder for the
New York Mets •
Mike Tonis - catcher for
Kansas City Royals in 2004. •
Gus Triandos – MLB player for the
Baltimore Orioles and other teams •
George Tsamis - MLB pitcher for
Minnesota Twins in 1993. Minor league manager of multiple teams. •
John Tsitouris - MLB pitcher for 3 teams between 1957–68 •
Clint Zavaras – MLB pitcher with the
Seattle Mariners in 1989. He pitched for Greek National Baseball team in 2004 Olympics.
Basketball •
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Professional player in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, 2019 MVP. •
Zach Auguste –
Notre Dame Fighting Irish college and also professional basketball player •
Michael Bramos – basketballer, member of the Greek national basketball team •
Nick Calathes – former
Florida Gators basketball player, and professional player •
Pat Calathes – professional basketball player •
Pavlos Diakoulas – former professional basketball player •
Tyler Dorsey (born 1996) - basketball player in the
Israeli Basketball Premier League •
Angelo Drossos – owner of the
San Antonio Spurs basketball team from 1973 to 1988 (NBA Executive of the Year Award in 1978) •
Nick Galis – former professional basketball player, played in Europe (where he is known as Nikos Galis), and regarded as one of Europe's all-time basketball greats •
Steve Giatzoglou – former professional basketball player •
George Kastrinakis – former professional basketball player in Greece •
John Korfas – former professional basketball player •
Kosta Koufos – professional basketball player for the
Sacramento Kings in the NBA and the
Greece men's national basketball team , professional basketball player for
Sacramento Kings •
Steve Lappas – former college basketball coach at
Villanova and
UMass •
Ted Manakas – shooting guard for the
Princeton Tigers men's basketball team under coach
Pete Carril; played briefly in NBA for
Kansas City-Omaha Kings •
Nick Paulos – professional basketball player •
Kurt Rambis – former NBA professional basketball player, won 4 championships with the L.A. Lakers (birth name Kyriakos Rambidis) •
Chris Roupas – former Greek American Professional Basketball Player, First Penn State Nittany Lion to play professional basketball in Greece •
David Stergakos – former professional Greek basketball player •
Jake Tsakalidis – former NBA player for
Phoenix Suns,
Memphis Grizzlies and
Houston Rockets. •
Lou Tsioropoulos – former NBA professional basketball player with the Boston Celtics
Body building and fitness training •
John Sitaras – fitness professional, creator of the Sitaras method and founder of
Sitaras Fitness in New York City •
Craig Titus – American bodybuilder • Christos Nikitas Poulis - athletic trainer
Boxing •
Anton Christoforidis – professional boxer, NBA World Light Heavyweight Champion 1941 •
Michael Katsidis – (born in Australia) current boxer •
Pete Spanakos - retired bantamweight boxer identical twin of Nikos Spanakos bronze metal 1959 Chicago PanAm Games •
Nikos Spanakos - retired flyweight boxer identical twin of Pete Spanakos 1960 Rome Olympic Games
Football •
Harry "the Golden Greek" Agganis1 - college football star and 1st-ever All-American at
Boston University. Drafted by the
Cleveland Browns but turned down the offer to play baseball for the
Boston Red Sox. •
Steve Alexakos – played OL in college for San Jose State and then NFL for
Denver Broncos (1970) and
New York Giants (1971). •
Dee Andros (born Demosthenes Konstandies "Dee" Andrecopoulos) - American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. Brother of
Plato Andros. •
Plato Andros (Plato Gus Andrecopoulos) - college All-American guard for the University of Oklahoma. He played four years in the NFL for the
Chicago Cardinals. Brother of
Dee Andros. •
Zach Collaros – quarterback for the University of Cincinnati football team •
Jim Eliopulos – NFL player for the
New York Jets •
Chris Farasopoulos – NFL player, played for the New York Jets •
Alex Holmes – NFL tight end for the St. Louis Rams, mother is Greek •
George Karlaftis - NFL player with the Kansas City Chiefs •
Alex Karras – NFL player with the Detroit Lions, wrestler and actor •
Lou Karras – NFL player with the Washington Redskins, eldest brother of Alex Karras •
Ted Karras – NFL player with the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. Won NFL championship with 1963 Bears. Older brother of Alex Karras •
Ted Karras Jr. - NFL player and Super Bowl champion for 1987
Washington Redskins •
Ted Karras III - Center for
Cincinnati Bengals and
New England Patriots. Played in 3 consecutive Super Bowls for Patriots, winning 2 championships (2016 & 2018). •
Jim Karsatos – Ohio State QB in 1980s •
Niko Koutouvides – NFL linebacker for the
Seattle Seahawks,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
Denver Broncos and
New England Patriots •
Bill Mackrides – QB for the
Philadelphia Eagles. He led them to 2 NFL championships in 1948 and 1949. •
Chris Maragos – NFL safety for two Super Bowl champions: 2013
Seattle Seahawks and 2017
Philadelphia Eagles. , NFL safety for the
Seattle Seahawks •
Archie Matsos (Archimidis Matsos) - All-American linebacker at Michigan State in 1950s. Played in the AFL (pre-merger) for the
Buffalo Bills,
Oakland Raiders,
Denver Broncos and
San Diego Chargers. •
Joe Panos – NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills 1994–2000 (birth name Zois Panagiotopoulos) •
Petros Papadakis – host of various sports shows on radio, former college football tailback and team captain at USC 1996–2000. •
Tony Pashos – former NFL offensive lineman for six teams, including with the
Baltimore Ravens and
Jacksonville Jaguars. •
Lonie Paxton – NFL New England Patriots long-snapper 2001–2003 •
Peter Philipakos –
Soccer player, formerly of
Olympiacos F.C. •
Pete Pihos – NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles (Pro Football Hall of Fame). Is the only NFL player to have been named All-Pro on both offense and defense in the same year. •
Gene Rossides – Star QB who presided over the Golden Era of Columbia Football of 1945–48. Drafted by [New York Giants] in 1949. Protégé of
Sid Luckman. •
Fred Smerlas – NFL player for the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots •
Alex Spanos – NFL owner of the
San Diego Chargers •
A. G. Spanos – named President of Business Operations for the
San Diego Chargers in 2015. Grandson of
Alex Spanos. (left), President of Business Operations for the
San Diego Chargers •
Dean Spanos – President and CEO of
San Diego Chargers. Son of
Alex Spanos. •
Frank Stams {Stamoulis} - defensive lineman for University of Notre Dame, including their 1988 National Championship team. He was converted to linebacker in the NFL, where he played for the
Los Angeles Rams,
Cleveland Browns and
Kansas City Chiefs. •
Matt Stover – NFL player, kicker for
Baltimore Ravens •
Harry Theofiledes – backup QB for
Washington Redskins in 1968. •
Garo Yepremian – NFL player (Greek Cypriot origin) •
Gust Zarnas – NFL player with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers 1938–1940
Gambling, bookmakers, poker •
Steve Billirakis – Bracelet winner in the World Series of Poker •
Nick "the Greek" Dandolos1 - one of the most famous players in the history of poker •
Sam Mastrogiannis – Bracelet winner in the World Series of Poker •
Billy Pappas – poker player and world champion foosball player •
Athanasios Polychronopoulos – Bracelet winner in the World Series of Poker •
Chris Tsiprailidis – Bracelet winner in the World Series of Poker •
Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder James George Snyder Sr. (born Dimetrios Georgios Synodinos, September 9, 1918 – April 21, 1996) - American sports commentator and Las Vegas oddsmaker.
Goalball •
Eliana Mason - American
goalball bronze medalist
Hockey •
Tom Anastos – Head Hockey Coach,
Michigan State University •
Andreas Athanasiou – currently plays Center for the
Detroit Red Wings. •
Adam Burish – NHL player with the
Dallas Stars •
Jimmy Carson – NHL hockey player (original family surname Kyriazopoulos) •
Chris Chelios – Hockey Hall of Fame hockey player for the
Montreal Canadiens,
Chicago Black Hawks and
Detroit Red Wings. •
Jake Chelios – NHL hockey player. Son of
Chris Chelios. •
Cleon Daskalakis – NHL goaltender for
Boston Bruins 1984–87. •
Peter Douris – played in NHL 1985 to 1998 for the
Winnipeg Jets,
Boston Bruins,
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and
Dallas Stars. •
Nick Fotiu – NHL 1973–1990, played for the
New York Rangers,
Hartford Whalers,
Calgary Flames,
Philadelphia Flyers and
Edmonton Oilers. •
Bob Halkidis – Between 1985 and 2001 he played for six NHL Teams. •
Krys Kolanos – NHL center for
Phoenix Coyotes,
Edmonton Oilers,
Minnesota Wild, and
Calgary Flames. •
Chris Kontos – former NHL player known for his prolific scoring in the play-offs •
Tom Kostopoulos – NHL hockey player for six teams including the
Los Angeles Kings •
Chris Kotsopoulos – NHL defenseman between 1978 and 1990. He played for
New York Rangers,
Hartford Whalers,
Toronto Maple Leafs and
Detroit Red Wings. •
Nick Kypreos – played in NHL (1986–1997) for the
Washington Capitals,
Hartford Whalers,
New York Rangers and
Toronto Maple Leafs •
George Parros – NHL hockey player •
Steve Staios – NHL hockey player •
Nikos Tselios – AHL hockey player. Cousin of
Chris Chelios. •
Trevor Zegras – made his NHL debut with
Anaheim Ducks on February 22, 2021.
Mixed martial arts •
John Critzos II – martial arts fighter, champion, and instructor •
Alex Karalexis – professional fighter with the Ultimate Fighting Championship •
Christos Giagos - professional fighter with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Motor sports •
Art Arfons – world
land speed record holder •
George Constantine –
racing driver •
Chris Karamesines – drag racer and one of
NHRA's early pioneers •
Danny Kladis –
race car driver •
Andy Papathanassiou – pit crew coach •
Alex Tremulis – industrial designer of the
Tucker (Automobile Hall of Fame) •
Alex Xydias – influential figure in the early days of the
auto racing sport involving
hot rods •
Emanuel Zervakis –
NASCAR driver and team owner
Soccer / association football •
Andreas Chronis – professional football player •
George John –
soccer player, currently with
Major League Soccer club
New York City FC •
Gus Kartes – former Chicago Storm footballer •
Noah Allen – professional soccer player •
Frank Klopas – retired
soccer player, formerly of
AEK Athens,
Apollon Athens,
Kansas City Wizards,
Chicago Fire and the
U.S. national team •
Alexi Lalas – retired
soccer; played for the L.A. Galaxy and
U.S. national team •
John Limniatis – Canadian retired professional soccer player. He played 44 times and scored one goal for the Canadian national team, also captaining and later becoming the head coach of the Montreal Impact. •
Peter Skouras – retired
soccer player, formerly of
Olympiacos,
PAOK,
San Diego Sockers of the
North American Soccer League, and United States Youth National Teams
Surfing •
Laird Hamilton – Big wave surfer. Born Laird John Zerfas. Greek father. •
Caroline Marks –
World Surf League professional surfer (ranked No. 8 internationally in 2018)
Tennis •
Eleni Rossides •
Pete Sampras –
tennis player, considered one of the best tennis players in history , tennis player, first man to win 14
Grand Slam titles
Track and field •
Dean Karnazes – ultramarathon champion, writer, businessman •
Bob Mathias - decathlete. Won 2 Olympic gold medals: London (1948) and Helsinki (1952). Became younger gold medal winner (age 17) in 1948. •
Tom Pappas – track & field decathlete, 2003 world decathlon champion and 2-time Olympian.
Winter sports •
Tara Dakides – pro
snowboarder and champion from
California •
Themistocles Leftheris – American
pair skater,
2007 U.S. National Pairs bronze medalist •
Evan Lysacek - American figure skater
Wrestling •
David Batista (Bautista) - former
WWE professional wrestler (Greek mother and Filipino father) and actor ,
WWE World Heavyweight Championship •
Dixie Carter (wrestling) – President of
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling •
Maria Kanellis – professional wrestler who has worked with
WWE,
TNA, and
ROH. Former contestant on
Celebrity Apprentice •
Jim Londos – champion wrestler during the 1930s-50s. Birth name Christos Theophilos. •
Helen Maroulis – freestyle wrestler •
George Metropoulos – Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestler •
Tom Packs – professional wrestling promoter - one of the top promoters over the first half of the 20th century •
Dawn Marie Psaltis (Dawn Marie) - former WWE wrestler •
Trish Stratus – WWE wrestler ,
WWE wrestler •
George Tragos – champion wrestler in Greece and trainer of American champion
Lou Thesz. Co-founder of Wrestling Hall of Fame. •
George Zaharias – sports promoter and professional wrestler in the 1930s (birth name Theodore Vetoyanis). Husband of
Babe Didrikson Zaharias.
Sports journalism •
Bob Costas – NBC sportscaster •
Spero Dedes – (born February 27, 1979) is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by CBS Sports, calling the NFL, NBA, and college basketball. Previously worked play-by-play for the
Los Angeles Lakers (radio) and
New York Knicks (radio & TV). •
Jimmy Cefalo – sportscaster & former NFL wide receiver for Miami Dolphins. •
Mike Galanos – CNN/Sports Illustrated anchor •
Harry Kalas – sports announcer •
John Manuel – co-editor in chief,
Baseball America magazine •
Rory Markas – sports announcer •
Petros Papadakis – former USC Trojans running back, sports talk show host •
Ted Sarandis – sports announcer •
Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder – James George Snyder Sr. (born Dimetrios Georgios Synodinos, September 9, 1918 – April 21, 1996), was an American sports commentator on CBS'
The NFL Today from 1976 to 1988 and Las Vegas oddsmaker. ==Criminal figures==