The New York Knicks: Always Champions for Rising Stars

Rising Stars Founder Paul Savramis Reflects on 30 Years of Support

Nothing could make Rising Stars founder Paul Savramis happier than watching the New York Knicks win the 2026 NBA Championship.

For Paul Savramis, that championship was a culmination, but it certainly was not what defines the Knicks.

"The New York Knicks have been champions in New York, and most certainly at Rising Stars, since we started 30 years ago," said Paul Savramis. "Championship titles are great, and an entire city celebrated an incredible achievement. But it's what the Knicks have accomplished off the court, particularly in helping create special experiences for New York's children, that truly defines the term 'champion' for me."

Rising Stars Girls Take Center Stage With Breakout Summer

The Rising Stars Girls Elite Teams stepped into the spotlight this summer with an incredible run of tournament victories across the country.

The girls took center stage on the prestigious Nike tournament circuit, competing in showcase events in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and finally Chicago, where they continued to prove that Rising Stars girls basketball belongs among the best.

Rising Stars founder Paul Savramis couldn't be prouder of how this group performed, but even more importantly, he is proud of how these girls have come together as a team both on and off the court.

Paul Savramis was also quick to point out that the team's success is a reflection of the Rising Stars girls program as a whole and the many people who have contributed to its growth.

Rising Stars Founder Paul Savramis Embraces Development and Longevity Over Recruiting in Team Building

When asked about the success of the 2026 Rising Stars teams and the overall Rising Stars program, founder Paul Savramis points to one word: longevity.

Every current Rising Stars team has a core group of boys and girls who have developed together since elementary school. Rather than relying on recruiting, the program emphasizes long-term player development, team chemistry, and relationships built over many years.

Paul Savramis points specifically to the program's flagship 16U team, which enters the end of the summer with a 25–2 record against some of the best competition in the country.

"We couldn't be prouder of this group," Paul Savramis says. "This team started playing together at Rising Stars in the fourth grade and has become more of a family than a team."

Multi Sports Athletes: A Formula For Success for the Rising Stars Youth Foundation

When founder Paul Savramis launched the Rising Stars Foundation 30 years ago, after spending a decade running basketball camps around the world, it began as Rising Stars Basketball Clinics.

At the time, basketball was the common thread, continuing the work Paul Savramis had started in 1980 through summer camps and clinics.

We asked Paul Savramis how that focus has evolved over the past 30 years.

TRS: Looking back over the past 30 years, we've seen a definite focus on basketball for both you and Rising Stars. How has that changed over the years?

Rising Stars Goes International

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.

After 30 Years, The Rising Stars Alumni, Friends, and Families Remain Larger Than Life

Over the past 30 years, Rising Stars has developed an incredible resource that sustains its growth and powers its journey into the future.

For Rising Stars founder Paul Savramis, that journey has highlighted as much meaning for him in what has been built off the basketball court as it has on it.

Paul Savramis always points out that the foundation of Rising Stars is the people behind it, and that includes its board, executive director, national ambassador, and alumni.

“I have spoken about how much Rising Stars relies on its alumni for everything it does day to day,” says Paul Savramis.

“What is just as important for me to emphasize is the friendships that go along with it and that Rising Stars has helped build.”

Those friendships, Paul Savramis goes on to describe, have grown to a degree where there isn’t any area of Rising Stars that doesn’t include a former Rising Star.

“Thirty years is a long time,” Paul Savramis will say when pressed on what this anniversary year means, but he always adds that time has developed a network beyond anything he could have imagined.

New Year Brings New Programs And the 30th Anniversary of The Rising Stars Foundation

The New Year brought a great deal of excitement for Rising Stars founder Paul Savramis.

First and foremost for Paul Savramis was that 2026 marked the beginning of the 30th anniversary of the Rising Stars Youth Foundation.

“I can’t believe that it’s been 30 years,” said Paul Savramis. “Looking back, there are so many milestones I can’t begin to list them here.”

For Paul Savramis, looking back has always been an exercise that helps him look ahead.

“I have seen so many good things happen over the past 30 years, but probably the most meaningful has been the core of leadership that’s grown with me and has become the best part of Rising Stars,” added Paul Savramis.