Most basketball camps have good coaches. A few have great ones. Rain Basketball’s summer camps have something most parents never expect when they first sign up: a former NBA player in the gym.

That’s not a marketing line. It’s the format. Every Rain Basketball summer camp is co-hosted by a former NBA professional. They’re on the court, running drills, coaching kids one-on-one, and talking to your child about what it actually takes to get to the next level.

Which NBA coaches are at which locations

Mario West is a returning guest coach for Rain Basketball. Mario played in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks and spent years at the elite level of the sport. He now puts that experience directly into developing youth athletes in Denver, OC & IE metro.

Mo Charlo is another returning guest coach at Rain Basketball. Mo is currently an assistant coach with the South Bay Lakers, the Lakers’ official G League affiliate, where he works daily developing players inside the Lakers organisation. During his first season on staff, he worked directly with LeBron James, Bronny James, and Max Christie in preseason preparation. His presence on the court isn’t ceremonial. He works.

Craig Smith, who played for the Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Hornets during his NBA career, is a returning guest coach for Rain Basketball Inland Empire. He’s known as one of the more intense competitors to come through the league at his position, and that energy shows up in camp.

What ‘co-hosted’ actually means for your kid

There’s a big difference between a camp that advertises a former pro as a figurehead and one where that person is actually coaching. At Rain Basketball, the NBA guest coaches are on the floor. They’re watching your child’s form. They’re pulling kids aside to show them something. They’re talking to campers during breaks.

For a lot of kids, this is the first time an adult at that level has ever given them personal attention in a basketball setting. Parents report that the shift in motivation from Monday to Friday of camp week is noticeable. Kids who dragged their feet at drop-off are asking to stay late by Wednesday.

The rest of the coaching staff matters too

Every coach at Rain Basketball summer camp holds USA Basketball Gold licensure, which is the highest coaching certification available in the sport. The average coaching tenure across the staff is 12 or more years. The NBA guest coach is the headline, but the coaching quality doesn’t drop off when they step back.

Each camp week runs Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. All skill levels welcome, ages 6 through 16. Five week-long sessions run June through July/Early August at each location.

How to reserve a spot

Registration for summer 2026 is open now. Spots fill well before camp starts every year. Full package saves $200. Multi-week individual savings also available.

2026 summer camp registration is open now. 
Choose your location below to lock in your spot today before spots are gone.