Greek U16 basketball player targeted by racist abuse

Lisa Itoya, a 16-year-old guard for the Greek national U16 girls' basketball team, has publicly addressed receiving racist abuse on social media. The athlete, who plays for Panathlitikos Sykeon, is currently competing at the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket Division B in Ioannina. Despite the harassment questioning her place on the national team due to her Nigerian heritage, Itoya affirmed that she represents the country where she was born and raised. Throughout the tournament, she has maintained a strong performance, averaging 19.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.

Itoya responded to the online vitriol following Greece's qualification for the final, where the team is scheduled to play Iceland at 21:00 on August 11, 2026. Her public stance has sparked a broader national conversation regarding discrimination in youth sports and the support systems available for athletes representing the country. The incident has drawn attention to the balance of professional success and personal challenges faced by young international competitors.