About the camp

Global Hoops Camp is a youth basketball camp that will take place in June 2026 in Riga, at the Rimi Olympic Centre (6b Grostonas Street). We offer a modern training process with high-level coaches from leading European and Latvian clubs and youth development systems. A safe, structured, and high-quality sports environment throughout the entire day.

📅 Camp period: June 2026
📍 Dates: June 15–19
🗣️ Language: English and Latvian
🏨 Accommodation at the 4-star Hestia Hotel Jugend from June 14 to June 19, with adult supervision throughout the entire duration of the camp! Hotel - https://www.hestiahotels.com/jugend/

Who is the camp for?

The camp is designed for boys and girls aged 7–18 with varying levels of basketball experience, from those who already train actively to those who have recently started discovering basketball. To ensure that every participant feels comfortable and can develop at their own pace, children and young athletes will be grouped by age and skill level throughout the camp. This allows our coaches to deliver appropriate, high-quality, and engaging training sessions tailored to each group, helping every participant improve skills, gain confidence, and enjoy the game.

Participants will be divided into age groups, which will then be further subdivided into smaller subgroups:

Born between 2019–2016
Born between 2008–2015

Benefits of Age & Skill Grouping

✅ Age-appropriate training focused on physical, technical, and mental development
✅ Balanced and competitive training environment that promotes confidence and growth
✅ Individualized coaching attention within smaller, focused groups
✅ Safer training conditions aligned with each player’s physical maturity
✅ Faster skill development through structured, level-based drills
✅ Maximum learning, engagement, and enjoyment for every participant

Training process and content

The camp program includes individual skills training, as well as 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 sessions in which various game situations will be taught and practiced. In addition, tactical training sessions are planned to develop game understanding, decision-making, and teamwork.

Training in age and skill appropriate groups will allow players to demonstrate their best performance. Each athlete will train at an appropriate intensity, face suitable challenges, and receive focused, individualized attention from the coaching staff. This structure will enhance concentration, confidence, decision-making, and overall performance, ensuring faster and more effective development for each participant.

The camp will include video analysis sessions to help young basketball players better understand their performance and identify areas for improvement. In addition to basketball training, guest lectures are planned on basketball, an athlete’s daily routine, and mental preparation.

Between training sessions, participants will remain at the Rimi Olympic Sports Center under the supervision of coaches and staff, ensuring a safe and well-organized environment throughout the entire camp day. The camp will conclude with a special All-Star game, giving participants the opportunity to showcase their skills in a competitive atmosphere.

Participation options

🔹 Participation WITHOUT accommodation

Participation WITHOUT accommodation includes:
▫️All basketball training sessions at the Rimi Olympic Sports Centre
▫️Training program led by world-class and high-level Latvian coaches
▫️Meals on training days: lunch, afternoon snack, snacks between training sessions, drinking water during training
▫️Camp equipment: sports T-shirt, reversible training jersey, shorts, gifts from partners and sponsors
▫️The organizers provide daily washing of the camp equipment.
❗The participant is responsible for accommodation, breakfast, dinner, and transportation to and from the camp.
* It is possible to pay the participation fee in installments!

🔹 Participation WITH Accommodation

A full camp experience with hotel stay and full care throughout the entire camp.

Participation WITH accommodation includes:
▫️All basketball training sessions of the camp
▫️Accommodation at the 4-star Hestia Hotel Jugend from June 14 to June 19 https://www.hestiahotels.com/jugend/
▫️It is possible to arrive one day earlier and stay overnight starting from June 14
▫️Daily transportation provided from the hotel to the training sessions and back
▫️4 meals per day: breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner
▫️Snacks between training sessions
▫️Drinking water during training
▫️Camp equipment: sports T-shirt, reversible training jersey, shorts, gifts from partners and sponsors
▫️The organizers provide daily washing of the camp equipment.
* It is possible to pay the participation fee in installments!

Jānis Gailītis (Latvia)
Head Coach – SIG Strasbourg (France, LNB Pro A)

Jānis Gailītis is one of the most accomplished and respected basketball coaches in Latvia and the Baltic region. He spent more than a decade with VEF Rīga, where he became the club’s most successful head coach, winning seven Latvian Basketball League championships and leading the team in the Basketball Champions League and other European competitions.

After his long tenure in Latvia, Jānis continued his international coaching career in Germany and France, and currently serves as Head Coach of SIG Strasbourg in the French LNB Pro A, one of Europe’s strongest domestic leagues. He was also a huge part of the Latvian Men’s National Team coaching staff past years, contributing at the highest international level.

Known for his modern coaching philosophy, strong emphasis on player development, and structured, detail-oriented training methodology, Jānis will play a key role at Global Hoops Camp. He will be actively coaching on court and is also responsible for designing and supervising the overall practice plans, ensuring a professional, age-appropriate, and high-level training process throughout the camp.

Matīss Rožlapa (Latvia)
Head Coach – Saarlouis Royals (Germany)

Matīss Rožlapa is an experienced professional coach with a strong reputation in both elite youth development and professional basketball. He currently works as Head Coach of Saarlouis Royals in Germany and has also been appointed Head Coach of the Latvian Women’s National Team, following several years as an assistant at the international level.

Throughout his career, Matīss has coached multiple Latvian youth national teams (U16, U18, U20), leading them in European Championships and helping develop players for professional and national team pathways. At the club level, he has worked in Latvia and Germany, achieving competitive success and consistently building strong development-focused programs.

At the camp, Matīss brings a combination of international coaching experience, youth expertise, and professional standards, focusing on fundamentals, decision-making, and helping young players understand what it takes to progress to the next level. 

Julien Zoa (France)
Assistant Coach – SIG Strasbourg (France, LNB Pro A)

Julien Zoa is a French basketball coach specializing in individual player development and modern, detail-oriented training methods. He currently serves as an assistant coach at SIG Strasbourg in France’s top professional league, LNB Pro A, where he works daily with elite-level professional players on skill development, performance optimization, and game preparation.

Julien has built his coaching career through a strong combination of youth development roles and professional club experience. He has previously worked within respected development environments such as Cholet Basket, gaining extensive experience in long-term player development pathways. In addition, Julien has expanded his international perspective by participating in the NBA Summer League, working alongside the Sacramento Kings coaching staff.

Throughout his career, Julien has worked with and helped develop players competing at the highest levels of European and NBA basketball, including Tidjane Salaün (Charlotte Hornets, NBA), Vincent Poirier (Andalou Efes, Turkish /EuroLeague), Brice Dessert (Andalou Efes, Turkish /EuroLeague), Neal Sako (Valencia Basket, Spain – Liga ACB / EuroLeague), and Oscar Wembanyama (SIG Strasbourg, France), the younger brother of NBA star Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs).

At Global Hoops Camp, Julien brings a progressive, modern, and highly detailed coaching approach. He will focus on individual skill refinement, movement efficiency, and helping young players understand the daily habits and standards required to compete at the highest levels of basketball.

Rauno Pehka (Estonia)
Skill Coach – TalTech Alexela (Tallinn, Latvian & Estonian League)

Rauno Pehka is a former Estonian National Team player with a long and successful professional playing career across Europe. He competed at the highest levels in Estonia, Latvia, Belgium, and Israel, gaining valuable experience in different basketball cultures and systems.

Rauno represented the Estonian National Team in 145 official games, bringing extensive international experience and leadership at the highest level of competition.

Following his playing career, Rauno transitioned into coaching and youth development and currently works as a Skill Coach with TalTech Alexela, while also contributing to leading Estonian youth programs and national teams. He has coached at the professional level, combining his deep understanding of the game with a strong focus on fundamentals, basketball IQ, and leadership.

At Global Hoops Camp, Rauno will work closely with young players on core skills, decision-making, and understanding the game, helping them build a strong foundation for long-term development.

Radovan Marković (Serbia)
Assistant Coach - CSM Oradea in Romania’s top league

We are pleased to announce Radovan Marković as part of the Global Hoops Camp coaching staff.
Radovan is a Serbian professional basketball coach and former player, who currently works as an Assistant Coach at CSM Oradea in Romania’s top professional league. After completing a long and successful playing career, he transitioned into coaching, where he now works in a professional environment focused on player development and competitive success.

As a player, Radovan enjoyed a nearly 20-year professional career (2000–2019), competing in Serbia, Germany, and Romania. His playing résumé includes clubs such as Telekom Baskets Bonn and Walter Tigers Tübingen in Germany, as well as Vojvodina Srbijagas, Tamiš Petrohemija, and Swisslion Takovo in Serbia, before finishing his career with CSM Oradea in Romania. He also gained experience in European competitions, including the FIBA EuroChallenge.

Known as a reliable shooting guard, Radovan brings strong knowledge of perimeter play, spacing, and decision-making at a high competitive level.

At Global Hoops Camp, Radovan combines elite playing experience with modern coaching principles, focusing on fundamentals, basketball IQ, and helping young players understand the demands of professional basketball.

Dimitris Tsesmetzis (Greece)
Assistant Coach – UCAM Murcia (Spain, ACB)

Dimitris Tsesmetzis is a Greek coach who currently serves as an assistant coach with UCAM Murcia in Spain’s Liga Endesa (ACB) — widely regarded as one of the strongest leagues in European basketball. His journey at UCAM Murcia began within the club’s youth and development system, where he worked closely with young players before progressing to the professional first team.

Over the years, Dimitris has gained extensive experience in player development, scouting, video analysis, and game preparation at the highest professional level. He works daily with elite professional players and contributes to tactical planning alongside the head coach and staff.

At Global Youth Hoops Camp, Dimitris brings a valuable perspective on how youth development connects directly to professional basketball, sharing insights from one of Europe’s most competitive environments.

Lucas Pérez (Spain)
Assistant Coach – UCAM Murcia (Spain, ACB)

Lucas Pérez is a Spanish basketball coach who has grown entirely within the UCAM Murcia basketball structure, making his way from youth and academy coaching roles to the ACB first team staff. His development path reflects a deep understanding of long-term player growth and professional preparation.

As an assistant coach in the Spanish top league, Lucas works daily on individual skill development, tactical preparation, scouting, and integration of young players into the professional environment. He is known for his strong communication skills and ability to translate high-level concepts into clear, practical teaching on the court.

At the camp, Lucas will focus on skill execution, basketball IQ, and teaching young players professional habits used at the elite European level.

Global Hoops Camp tentative schedule

(Participants can arrive at the camp every day starting from 8:30 in the morning, and minor changes to the schedule are still possible before the start of the camp.)

MONDAY – “Standards and Mentality”

Mini Hoopers / Rising Stars (2019.-2016.)09:00 – Check-in / Registration

09:30 – 11:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
11:30 – 12:00 – Cool Down
12:20 – Lunch / Free Time
13:20 – Meeting with the Head Coach of the Camp (Installation and discussion of standards, goals, and camp assignments)
14:00 – 15:00 – Individual Shooting Competitions
15:00 – 16:30 – Team Practice – Concepts and Skill Application
16:30 – 17:00 – Snacks / End of the Day

Juniors / Elite (2008.–2015)

10:30 – Check-in / Registration
11:00 – 11:30 – Activation and Warm-up
11:30 – 13:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
13:40 – Lunch / Free Time
14:50 – Meeting with the Head Coach of the Camp (Installation and discussion of standards, goals, and camp assignments)
15:30 – 16:30 – Individual Shooting Competitions / Snacks
16:30 – 18:00 – Team Practice – Concepts and Skill Application
18:00 – End of the Day

TUESDAY – “Skills and Decision Making”

Mini Hoopers / Rising Stars (2019.-2016.)

09:30 – 11:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
11:30 – 12:00 – Cool Down
12:20 – Lunch / Free Time / Fun Time
13:30 – Video Practice – Special Topic with PRO Coach
14:00 – 15:00 – Skills Challenge Individual Competitions
15:00 – 16:30 – Team Practice – Controlled Scrimmages / Using Advantages
16:30 – 17:00 – Snacks / End of the Day

Juniors / Elite (2008.–2015)

11:00 – 11:30 – Activation and Warm-up
11:30 – 13:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
13:40 – Lunch / Free Time
14:40 – Video Practice – Special Topic with PRO Coach
15:30 – 16:30 – Skills Challenge Individual Competition / Snacks
16:30 – 18:00 – Team Practice – Controlled Scrimmages / Using Advantages
18:00 – End of the Day

WEDNESDAY – “Smart Takes from the Strong”

Mini Hoopers / Rising Stars (2019.-2016.)

09:30 – 11:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
11:30 – 12:00 – Cool Down
12:20 – Lunch / Free Time
13:20 – Guest of the Day (TBA)
14:00 – 15:30 – 3 vs 3 Competition Coached by PRO (Learning to adapt and use skills, decision making, analysis and feedback)
15:30 – 16:30 – Team Shooting Competitions
16:30 – 17:00 – Snacks / End of the Day

Juniors / Elite (2008.–2015)

11:00 – 11:30 – Activation and Warm-up
11:30 – 13:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
13:40 – Lunch / Free Time
14:20 – Guest of the Day (TBA)
15:30 – 17:00 – 3 vs 3 Competition Coached by PRO (Learning to adapt and use skills, decision making, analysis and feedback)
17:00 – 18:00 – Snacks / Team Shooting Competitions
18:00 – End of the Day

THURSDAY – “Winning is a Habit – Competition Day”

Mini Hoopers / Rising Stars (2019.-2016.)

09:30 – Team Practice with Guest Coach (TBA)
11:30 – 12:00 – Cool Down
12:20 – Lunch / Free Time
13:30 – Basketball Quiz Game
14:30 – 16:00 – Scrimmage 5 vs 5 Led by PRO Coaches (Players will play 5 vs 5, learning the game and the way to compete)
16:00 – Snacks
16:15 – 17:00 – 1 vs 1 Basketball Tournament
17:00 – End of the Day

Juniors / Elite (2008.–2015)

11:00 – 11:30 – Activation and Warm-up
11:30 – 13:30 – Team Practice with Guest Coach (TBA)
13:30 – Lunch / Free Time
15:00 – Basketball Quiz Game
16:00 – 17:15 – Scrimmage 5 vs 5 Led by PRO Coaches (Players will play 5 vs 5, learning the game and the way to compete)
17:15 – Snacks
17:15 – 18:00 – 1 vs 1 Basketball Tournament
18:00 – End of the Day

FRIDAY – “Building Routine and Habits”

Mini Hoopers / Rising Stars (2019.-2016.)

09:30 – 11:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
11:30 – 12:00 – Cool Down
12:20 – Lunch / Free Time / Fun Time
14:00 – 15:45 – THE GAME Together / Against Coaches and Volunteers
15:45 – 16:15 – Snack / Award Ceremony – Camp Closure

Juniors / Elite (2008.–2015)

11:00 – 11:30 – Activation and Warm-up
11:30 – 13:30 – Skills Stations with PRO Coaches (3 stations × 40 min each)
13:40 – Lunch / Free Time
15:00 – Video Meeting with the Head Coach (We learn the game through watching basketball – details, deeper analysis, suggestions)
15:45 – 17:15 – THE GAME Together / Against Coaches and Volunteers
17:15 – 17:30 – Snack / Award Ceremony – Camp Closure

Global Hoops camp organizers

REGISTER HERE!