REL Academy provides year-round basketball training for South Side, 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 — roughly 8 miles from South Side. Founded in 2013 by James "Rel" Barton, REL Academy is built on the REL Barton System covering skill, basketball IQ, and gameplay.
From South Side the facility is a straightforward local drive via Route 51, without crossing the city or the tunnels. Families in and around South Side typically pair a weekly Skill Session with weekend gameplay or AAU competition.
Every REL Academy program is open to South Side families regardless of school or travel-team affiliation. Pick the track that fits your player's age and goals.
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.
South Side players train alongside suburban and travel-team athletes from across the region. Training is open regardless of whether you play for a Pittsburgh Public school, a city league, or no team at all.
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 South Side, Pennsylvania.
Players from South Side train at REL Academy's facility at 1901 Mayview Rd #4, Bridgeville, PA 15017, roughly 8 miles from South Side. 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 South Side 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 roughly 8 miles from South Side, at 1901 Mayview Rd #4, Bridgeville, PA 15017. Most South Side families reach the facility by a direct local drive.
South Side 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 Pittsburgh Public 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 South Side families reach the facility via Route 51. The address is 1901 Mayview Rd #4, Bridgeville, PA 15017, roughly 8 miles from South Side.
No. REL Academy training is open to every player from South Side regardless of school or travel-team affiliation. Programs like the pay-as-you-go REL Skill Session and ShotClub open gym have no roster or membership requirement.
REL Academy trains players from communities across the greater Pittsburgh area.
Book a free trial session and let your South Side player experience the full REL Academy system — skill, IQ, and gameplay — before you commit to anything.