
Q: What ages does the new Greater South Bay area outreach program serve?
Paul Savramis: Like our existing Rising Stars Academic + initiatives, this is geared toward 6th graders getting into and throughout high school. The boys and girls of Brentwood, Bay Shore, and the surrounding Greater South Bay areas will have access to Rising Stars’ teams as well as yearly basketball camps and clinics.

Paul Savramis: Academic plus refers to the tutoring and community service programs that participants are mandated to attend as a part of being allowed to be a part of a Rising Stars team.
Q: Are there any costs for the programs?
Paul Savramis: Our programs are free of charge but not free. All participants are held accountable for attending tutoring classes and maintaining their grades.This is more important for us than what they do in practices or games as what they do off the court is a direct reflection as what they do on it. We collect report cards and regularly meet with families and school officials to monitor progress and identify issues so that these can be rectified early on.
Q: How will this area benefit from programs and initiatives such as Rising Stars?

Paul Savramis: Our hope is to move into as many Long Island communities as possible. We see a collaboration with the YMCA as a perfect fit and the best vehicle for a program such as this moving forward. A future expansion could possibly see a Rising Stars presence in all of the Long Island YMCAs.
