Twenty-eight years of teaching kids the fundamentals of the game of basketball and what benefits can be gained by paying strict attention to what current and former players have to offer.

That’s about what sums up the increasingly popular Hoops with Hart Basketball Camp at St. Andrew’s School which recently wrapped up another successful two-week instructional program.

Under the direction of St. Andrew’s basketball head coach Mike Hart, for whom the camp is named, this year’s program was very noteworthy for all those who took part.

“We had about 70 kids during our last session,” said Coach Hart. “It’s been pretty consistent over the last 28 years. I know the kids really enjoy themselves here. It’s a great atmosphere.”

Among this year’s camp staff members was 20-year-old Aydin Kocak, one of St. Andrew’s veteran players in 2021-2022, who couldn’t say enough good things about Hart and what he brings to this program.

“He’s a great leader,” Kocak said. “He inspires everyone. He loves what he does.” 

And, that includes his imprint on the Hoops with Hart Summer Camp.

This year, as has been the case throughout its history, the Hoops with Hart Summer Camp welcomed boys and girls ages 6 to 16 who were eager to learn and fine-tune their game. The majority of those in camp were residents of Barrington.

“I did this camp before and continue to enjoy working here with these wonderful kids,” said Aydin, who lives in East Greenwich and now attends Clarkson University in New York.

Hoops with Hart offers young basketball players an opportunity to train with some of the top talent from around the region. The former St. Andrew’s School standouts are happy to come back to Barrington and work at Hart’s camp.

As his résumé spells out, “with more than 35 years coaching, including coaching at the national college and all-star camps as well as speaking at the USA Basketball Coaching Academy, Michael Hart has sent six kids to the NBA, 25 to overseas professional leagues, and many others on to Division 1, 2, and 3 colleges.”

Said former St. Andrew’s School great and Portsmouth native Cole Swider, formerly of Villanova University and Syracuse University, and most recently of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, “There are not many people who know more about the game in the state than Coach Hart. As a camper when I was 8, and a counselor for numerous years, Hoops with Hart provides a camp for any level of player to work on their skills as well as compete. Coach Hart has developed NBA and numerous Division 1 products; this camp gives you an idea of what it takes to make it to that level. The skill development and experience at Hoops with Hart is one of the best in the area.”