REL Academy provides year-round basketball training for Mars, Pennsylvania players in grades 3–12, plus Little Hoopers for ages 6–8. Training runs from the facility at 1901 Mayview Rd #4, Bridgeville, PA 15017 — approximately 24 miles from Mars. Founded in 2013 by James "Rel" Barton, REL Academy is built on the REL Barton System covering skill, basketball IQ, and gameplay.
Mars sits in the North Hills, where REL Academy also runs skill sessions at its Wexford location — reached via Route 228. North Hills families often use Wexford for regular skill work and the Bridgeville facility for camps, AAU, and full-system programming.
Camps and clinics deliver the full system in concentrated blocks, which suits Mars families making a longer drive. Season-long tracks are available too — all open regardless of school or team affiliation.
Grades 3-12 · Year-Round · Local & National
Sign Up →Pay As You Go · Grades 3-12 · Year-Round
Sign Up →High School Players Only
Sign Up →All Year · Various Locations · Ages 5+
Sign Up →Full Academy Experience · One Week
Sign Up →Training & Gameplay · Ages 6-8 · Sundays
Sign Up →Open Gym + Dr. Dish Machine
Sign Up →School Break Intensives · See Calendar
Sign Up →Development does not stop when the school season ends. REL Academy runs training, gameplay, and competition through every month of the year.
The REL Barton System covers all three: individual skill work, basketball IQ and decision making, and live gameplay where skills actually transfer.
Siblings at different ages train at the same facility. Little Hoopers starts at age 6 and the pathway runs through high school player development.
Many players come from Mars Area School District, but rosters mix athletes from a dozen districts. That cross-district competition is deliberate — it raises the level of every session.
A free trial session lets your player experience the full system first. No membership required to start.
James "Rel" Barton founded REL Academy in 2013 after a 1,000-point collegiate career, and the system reflects that playing background.
Straight answers for families searching for basketball training near Mars, Pennsylvania.
Players from Mars train at REL Academy's facility at 1901 Mayview Rd #4, Bridgeville, PA 15017, approximately 24 miles from Mars. REL Academy runs year-round basketball training for boys and girls in grades 3-12, plus Little Hoopers for ages 6-8. Call (412) 467-6143 or book a free trial session online.
REL Academy trains players from ages 6 through grade 12. Little Hoopers serves ages 6-8, the Skill Session and AAU Academy programs serve grades 3-12, and HS Player Development is reserved for high school players. Private 1-on-1 training is available for ages 5 and up.
Yes. REL Academy offers a free trial session so players from Mars and the surrounding area can experience the full training system before committing. You can book the trial online or call (412) 467-6143.
REL Academy's facility is approximately 24 miles from Mars, at 1901 Mayview Rd #4, Bridgeville, PA 15017. Most Mars families reach the facility by a direct local drive.
Mars players can join the AAU Academy program (grades 3-12, local and national play), pay-as-you-go REL Skill Sessions, High School Player Development, Weekly Summer Camps, Little Hoopers, REL ShotClub open gym with a Dr. Dish shooting machine, Holiday Skill Clinics, and private 1-on-1 training.
Yes. REL Academy trains players from Mars Area School District and from districts across the greater Pittsburgh area. Training is open to all players regardless of school or team affiliation.
REL Academy was founded in 2013 by James "Rel" Barton, a 1,000-point collegiate scorer. Training is built on the REL Barton System, a year-round development approach covering skill, basketball IQ, and gameplay.
Most Mars families reach the facility via Route 228. The address is 1901 Mayview Rd #4, Bridgeville, PA 15017, approximately 24 miles from Mars.
Mars is in the North Hills, so the Wexford location is generally closer for regular skill sessions. The Bridgeville facility at 1901 Mayview Rd #4 hosts camps, AAU, ShotClub, and full-system programming. Many North Hills families use both.
REL Academy trains players from communities across the greater Pittsburgh area.
Book a free trial session and let your Mars player experience the full REL Academy system — skill, IQ, and gameplay — before you commit to anything.