A Milestone on the Court
The Viking Hoops Basketball Camp marked its 30th anniversary this July, returning to Rogers High School for a homecoming that drew alumni, families and newcomers alike.
Founded in 1995 by Jim Psaras, the program was born on Aquidneck Island with the goal of delivering affordable, high‑quality basketball instruction to the region’s youth.
Over 26 seasons, Psaras also served as the Rogers boys basketball head coach, shaping thousands of players not only as athletes but as individuals.
After his passing in 2022, his daughter Julia Psaras assumed the role of camp director, bringing her background as a licensed child and adolescent therapist to the camp’s character‑building mission.
The camp’s guiding principle — ‘Being a Good Person’ — has remained unchanged, emphasizing personal growth alongside skill development and has reached campers from across the state, the nation and beyond.
A New Generation of Leaders
Today, many of the camp’s former participants have returned as coaches and counselors, including Rob McEvoy, Raleigh Brennan, DJ Robinson, Danaysha Cherry, Alex Toribio, Pat Cranson, Izzy Booth and Gab Decomo, who together form this year’s coaching team.
Under Julia’s leadership, the camp continues to blend competitive play with lessons in responsibility, respect and community, ensuring that the legacy of its founder endures on the courts of Rogers High School.