CURRENT AND PAST COACHES

A Commitment to Excellence in Teaching the Game

NBA:

• Dana Baros, Celtics, Sonics NBA All Star
• Raja Bell, Player at Boston University, Played with 76'ers, Mavs, Jazz, Suns 
• Bob Bigelow, Former NBA player (Celtics), author, advocate for improving youth sports
• Edson Cardoso, Former Charlestown HS Head Coach, Now Dallas Mavericks GLeague
• Bill Curley, Warriors, Star at BC
• Howard Eisley, New York Knicks assistant coach, former Boston College and NBA player
• Paul Grant, Played at BC and Wisconsin, 1st round NBA pick with Timberwolves, Bucks 
• Geoff Gray, Asst. Mavs G League, Asst. at Auburn, Former All Star Camper 
• Andy Greer,  Asst. Coach Knicks, Rockets, Timberwolves, Grizzlies
• Larry Greer, Asst. Coach/Scout Knicks, Thunder
• Dave Hopla, Asst. Coach Pistons 
• Mike Longabardi, 76ers Asst. Coach, G League Delaware Head Coach, Celtics, Cavaliers, Wizards Assistant Coach   
• Nerlens Noel, Attended as a Camper, NBA Player Knicks, 76’ers, Mavs, Pistons
• Jim O'Brien, Boston Celtics Head Coach, Philadelphia Asst. Coach
• Scoonie Penn,  Asst. Memphis Grizzlies, Former Player at BC, Ohio State
• David Wesley, Boston Celtics

COLLEGE:

• Larry Anderson, Head Coach MIT
• Tunji Awojobi, Record-setting former Boston University center, former professional basketball player (Europe)
• Jean Bain, Head Coach Brandeis, Asst. Columbia, Dartmouth and UNH
• Chris Bartley, Head Coach WPI, Asst. Babson, Head Coach Medford High
• Paul Biancardi, Asst. BC, Ohio State, Head Coach Wright State, Current ESPN High School Recruiting Evaluator
• Steve Brennan, Babson 
• Brian Caira, Salem State University Associate Head Coach
• Bill Coen, Asst. BC, Head Coach Northeastern 
• Ed Cooley Head Coach Georgetown, Providence, Fairfield, Asst. Boston College, Rivier, Rhode Island College, Nichols, Asst. UMass Lowell
• Tom Devitt, Asst. Coach BC, Head Coach Wentworth, University of Hartford
• Brian Emerson, Head Coach College of the South, Former Camper
• Oliver Eslinger, Asst. Coach MIT, Head Coach Cal Tech
• Andy Enfield, Head Coach SMU, USC, Gulf Coast Community, Asst. Coach Celtics
• Joey Flannery, Asst. Villanova, Babson
• Sean Foster, Salve Regina University Head Coach
• Tom Glynn, Head Coach Rivier, RI College, Nichols, Asst. UMass Lowell, MIT
• Greg Herenda, Head Coach UMass Lowell, FDU, Asst. Elon 
• Bill Holden, Asst. Bentley, Harvard, Colgate, Head Coach at Middlesex
• Joe Nero, Davidson College
• Stacey Connors Noel, Asst. Coach Bentley, Harvard
• Jim O'Brien, Head Coach BC, Ohio State, Emerson  
• Alex Popp, IMG Academy coach, Former Vermont Academy Head Coach, former Holy Cross Asst. Coach
• Frank Sullivan, Head Coach Harvard, Bentley
• Orlando Vandross, University of Virginia Asst. Coach
• Brian Walmsley, Head Coach, Wheaton College
• Tell White, Head Coach Emmanuel College

HIGH SCHOOL:

• Bruce Bouck, Asst. Mansfield
• Drew Brock, O'Bryant
• Dan Burns, Melrose
• Paul Chase, Asst. Watertown
• Dave Clay, St. John's Prep, Newburyport
• Kevin Clifford, Asst.Ashland
• Hugh Coleman, Charlestown, Brighton
• Paul Connolly, Newton North
• Matt  Coute, Head Coach state champ, Bp Connolly, Head Coach King Phiilip  
• Dave Destefano, King Phillip
• Dennis Doherty, Wayland
• Sam Doner, Asst. Coach St. Sebastians
• Lance Dottin, Cambridge Rindge and Latin
• Daivon Edwards, Brighton High
• Pat Ferdinand, Framingham
• Andrew Ferguson, Sharon
• John Fleming, Winchester
• Harold Francis, Head Coach Groton School
• Chris Fraoli, Norwood, Dedham
• Matt Freeman, Bishop Feehan
• Mike Giardi, Marblehead
• Steve Harrington, Watertown
• Dave Hintlian, Asst. Cambridge Rindge and Latin
• Reggie Hobbs, Lexington
• Jay Johnson, Asst. Wayland, Asst. Waltham, Head Coach Natick
• Mike Kasprzak, Melrose, Newburyport
• Joe Killilea, Newton South
• Rick Kilpatrick, Acton Boxboro, Shirley Ayer
• Paul Liner, Needham
• Dan Looney, Asst. Lexington, Wakefield
• Bill Loughnane, BC High
• Darren Martinez, Belmont
• Sam Mosley, Winchester
• Sean Mulkerrins, North Attleboro
• Mike Normandt, Ashland
• Jack O'Brien, Charlestown
• Adam Pritchard, Belmont
• Alex Popp, Vermont Academy/ IMG
• Tom Ryser, Medford, Andover, Head coach Curry College
• Andrea Razi-Thomas, 
• Lamar Riddick, Milton Academy, BU assistant, Harvard Asst., Bentley Asst. 
• Rob Sarmiento, Arlington Catholic
• Ryan Sheehan, Xaverian former assistant at WPI 
• Tim Skaggs, Bromfield School
• Sean Spellman, Roxbury Latin
• Mike Tarlin, Framingham
• Paul Tanglis, North Andover
• Dennis Tobin, Catholic Memorial
• Mike Vaughn, Mansfield
• Mike Wilder, Waltham

RISING STAR BASKETBALL takes the hiring of our coaches and staff very seriously. To meet our mission of helping players who attend to reach their next level as a player, a premium is put on teaching, drilling, and encouraging the effort it takes to excel. Having been in the basketball camp business for over 2 decades, we have earned our reputation as the best teaching camp in New England. Our network of coaching contacts is significant at the high school, college, and professional levels.  Our director, Kevin O'Brien, coached college basketball at all levels for over 20 years. His programs were noted for significant improvement and player development. 

Our goal is to attract the best coaches possible with the understanding that they will teach and coach with passion. We value creating a quality experience in which to teach and motivate and keep a low coach-to-player ratio to ensure this occurs. Additionally, we divide our players into different divisions based on age and ability. This allows our coaches to challenge players at an appropriate level. Our desire is to help our players improve their skills, learn more about basketball, and have a positive experience!

"Fundamentals are the cornerstone of any successful player and successful program and nothing beats the instruction at RISING STAR. Coach O'Brien is committed to each and every player that attends his camps and wants to make sure that each player leaves with the knowledge and the tools to take his/her game to the next level. RISING STAR has been pivotal in the development and the improvement of our players in Norwood. Our guys genuinely love the week of camp and the individual attention they receive from the staff of quality coaches in addition to Coach O'Brien. Coach O'Brien's attention to detail is without parallel and I am always picking up new drills to use with our guys. I highly recommend RISING STAR to players at all levels and furthermore strongly encourage teams to come together to participate in drills, 3 on 3 games, situational games and 5 on 5 games as a team."

-Rich Cormier, former Head Coach at Norwood High School