Our Story
1999. ONE GYM. THE PROVEN PATH.
1999
Founded
Rich Leary and Tom Flaherty open US Hoops in Piscataway, NJ.
2000s
Early Alumni
Luol Deng (1999–2003) and Katelynn Flaherty (2000–2018) develop their games in this gym.
25+ Years
Established
An all-year-round development program for students of all ages and skill levels.
2026
Today
Fall 2026 season runs August 29 – November 22.
Origin
TWO COACHES, ONE GYM, AND A STANDARD.
US Hoops was founded in 1999 by Rich Leary and Tom Flaherty in Piscataway, New Jersey. It began as a basketball skill-instruction program — not a recreational camp — built around the idea that young players deserve real coaching, not just supervised gym time.
25+ Years of Development
A PROGRAM THAT OUTLASTED TRENDS.
More than two decades later, US Hoops (Hoops America Inc) remains an all-year-round basketball skill instruction and development program for students of all ages and skill levels — a rarer thing in youth sports than it sounds.
The Philosophy
PLAYERS ARRIVE AT DIFFERENT STAGES. EVERY PLAYER HAS ANOTHER LEVEL.
US Hoops doesn't promise scholarships or professional careers. What it provides is the environment, instruction and accountability for serious athletes to keep progressing — through elite coaching, ball handling, shot making, strength and conditioning, personal growth and team play.
The Standard
WHAT ATHLETES SHOULD EXPECT.
Sessions built around correcting mechanics, not just running up rep counts. Coaches who explain why a drill matters, not just what to do. An environment that's demanding but built to keep players coming back.
The Coaches
INSTRUCTION. ACCOUNTABILITY. MENTORSHIP.
From founders Rich Leary and Tom Flaherty to Director Amanda S., Lead Instructor Shamai Santiago and Coach Roman Hernandez, the US Hoops staff brings playing experience from Division I basketball to professional ball to the Harlem Globetrotters into daily instruction.
The Players
GENERATIONS OF PLAYERS HAVE COME THROUGH THIS GYM.
From Luol Deng's era in the late 1990s and early 2000s to Katelynn Flaherty's run from 2000 through 2018, to today's next generation of alumni — US Hoops has stayed part of the New Jersey basketball development landscape across multiple generations of players.
The Legacy
A FUTURE NBA ALL-STAR ONCE TRAINED HERE.
Luol Deng trained at US Hoops from 1999–2003 before becoming a McDonald's All-American, a Duke Blue Devil, and a 16-season NBA veteran with two All-Star selections. Katelynn Flaherty trained at US Hoops from 2000–2018 before becoming Michigan's all-time leading scorer. US Hoops doesn't claim sole credit for either career — but both were part of this environment.
Through the Years
TWO PLAYERS. ONE GYM. DECADES APART.
LUOL DENG
US Hoops, 1999–2003
KATELYNN FLAHERTY
US Hoops, 2000–2018
The Next Generation
THE HISTORY MATTERS.
THE NEXT PLAYER MATTERS MORE.
Every US Hoops season starts the same way it did in 1999 — with a player walking into the gym looking to get better. The names on the alumni wall change. The standard doesn't.