Clayton News Daily

From Staff Reports

Chris Nastopoulos, the women's head basketball coach at Clayton State University from 1994-1997 and also a former men's basketball assistant at Clayton State, passed away over the weekend. He was 48.

An Atlanta native, Nastopoulos posted a 47-42 record in his three seasons as women's head coach at Clayton State. The highlight was in the 1994-95 season when he paced the Lakers to a 19-13 mark, winning the Georgia Athletic Conference championship and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament in Jackson, Tenn.

Prior to taking over the women's head coach, Nastopoulos served as an assistant coach to the Clayton State men's basketball program during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, helping the Lakers compile a 41-22 record, and earning the program's first regular season conference title under head coach and current CSU athletic director Mason Barfield.

"We will always remember Chris as a giant of a man, with a heart to match," said Barfield. "His passion for the game of basketball, as well as his passion for the welfare of the student-athlete, was felt by all whom he touched. We are greatly saddened in the loss of this extraordinary person."

A prep standout at Atlanta's Pace Academy, Nastopoulos was the leading scorer in the state of Georgia during his senior season in 1980, earning high school All-American honors in the process. He attended the University of South Carolina, earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science. While at South Carolina, Nastapoulos played for the Gamecocks under legendary head coach Bill Foster.

In the private sector, Nastapoulos started out in real estate at Property Systems and then transitioned into the financial arena as a broker for Smith Barney, and later Charles Schwab. He was currently the National Sales Director for Bear Stearns, now J.P. Morgan.

Nastapoulos is survived by his wife, Kay, and children, Charles, 12, and Christina, 9. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Atlanta. Internment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park.