.jpg "Paul Savramis")
Rising Stars Founder Paul Savramis goes the extra mile in celebrating the foundation’s 30th anniversary.
TCI: We have been hearing exciting news this month about Rising Stars’ 30th anniversary. Can you give us more details?
Paul Savramis: The news concerns a program that has always been a personal favorite of mine, and that’s international travel.
TCI: That is exciting, but not something that’s completely new. We understand you have had opportunities to offer travel since you began Rising Stars 30 years ago.
Paul Savramis: That’s correct. Rising Stars began international programs in cooperation with the Swiss All-Star Basketball programs and the late Charlie McCormick. Charlie brought myself and other members of Rising Stars to Switzerland for eight years. He built the original Rising Stars clinic model into sold-out offerings at popular tourist locations throughout the country.
TCI: That’s quite an accomplishment in a country where winter sports are the main attraction.
Paul Savramis: That’s correct. In addition, we needed translators and had to adapt the game to engage kids who were just learning. But it worked beyond anything we ever imagined and planted the seed for what we are offering now.
TCI: How does your current international travel initiative differ from those first trips to Switzerland?
Paul Savramis: It’s a totally different initiative. Our first travel programs were centered around clinics and teaching basketball. Thirty years later, we recognize the value of bringing international travel to families more as a tourism experience.
TCI: That sounds great, but how does that differ from families just booking these trips and going to these destinations on their own?
Paul Savramis: It’s night and day. Family travel is great and, without a doubt, an incredible experience. But families are not always tour guides, and there is a great deal of preparation required before any trip can happen. In addition, there is a tremendous difference between an experience shared with a team of your friends and one where you are traveling alone. Being with other families and coaches you know adds a completely different dimension.
TCI: So you’re offering these trips to teams, coaches, and families?
Paul Savramis: Yes. We handle all of the planning, including flights, hotels, meals, and, of course, sightseeing. In addition, we incorporate the experience of playing against teams from around the world.
TCI: That sounds great. What destinations are you looking at?
Paul Savramis: For 2026, we are planning trips to Montenegro and Croatia. That tour will be coordinated through Nihad Muscovic, a former Rising Stars participant who is now the head of 6th Boro Hoops. Nihad Muscovic is from Montenegro and played on their national team. This will be his third time hosting this tour, and it will be amazing.
TCI: It sounds like all of the guesswork is already taken care of. What other trips are you considering?
Paul Savramis: That’s a great question, and one we have 30 more years to explore. We are very fortunate to have Rising Stars alumni and directors who can host our programs across the United States, Canada, and now Europe. In France, we have former French national team coach Ron Stewart, and in Greece, we have Rising Stars alum James McCullough, who has already brought our teams over. In addition, we are exploring potential trips to Denmark, Ireland, and Israel, where we have coaches and players ready to host Rising Stars teams.
These trips are truly game changers. The feedback we receive continues to be the most meaningful of anything we have ever done. It is that feedback that is giving us an entirely new direction and a world of opportunities to pursue.
