
Mercadel Basketball
Mercadel Basketball Academy · Private
Mercadel Basketball is a South Orange County youth basketball program in Rancho Santa Margarita for boys and girls (roughly 2nd–8th grade), combining an AAU club, a skills academy, tournaments and youth basketball camps. Camps mix intensive training with a supportive atmosphere, teaching dribbling, shooting, passing and teamwork alongside discipline and sportsmanship. Founded and led by longtime coach Henry Mercadel.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Mercadel Basketball Academy directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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Google Reviews
Powered by GoogleMy older son started training with Mercadel Basketball in 6th grade, where he learned both the game and the right mindset. A year later my younger son joined too. Coach Henry once said, “At Mercadel Basketball they will learn step by step.,” and that stuck with us. We stayed because Coach Henry has the heart of a parent. He teaches discipline, respect, and resilience, and often reminds the kids that the ABC to make it to varsity starts with Attitude and Character before Skills. It truly takes a village to raise a child, and we’re grateful we chose a village that helps our kids grow as ball players and as good young men. #MoreThanBasketball #JesusLovesUsAll
There is no other place that will train your son or daughter like Henry Mercadel Basketball. I have two daughters that have trained with Henry. My oldest was deemed "Untrainable" by another "well known coach". My daughters hard work and Henry's training took this "untrainable" girl and made her a 4 year Varsity player as well as a 3 year captain. My youngest daughter is following in her older sisters footsteps. She is already a freshman varsity player. We have recommended numerous people to train with Henry and ALL of them have improved significantly. You may not like Henry (he's a nice guy), you may not like the parking situation, but ask yourself why you brought your child there - to get better. If your child wants to get better, with Henry's help, they will.
Coach Henry is the best! He has worked with our team and individually with our 11-year-old son to develop skills, confidence, and desire to become a better basketball player. Coach takes everyone on the team to the next level. The boys love and respect Coach Henry. Everyone including the parents consider him family. I would highly recommend Mercadel.
The person who answers the phones and owns this camp is extremely rude. I made the huge mistake of signing up my son for this camp. The courts are shoddy and kids of all ages are piled in with complete disorganization. My son who had previously been to Magic Elite basketball camp which he loved. Came home crying and said he hated this camp and never wanted to go there again!!! I asked for a partial refund and spoke to the owner of this camp. Who said there is no refund and its a great camp. I said my son was traumatized and did not want to come back. He has still not issued a refund and spoke to me in the rudest way possible on the phone. My son has attended various camps and I have never experienced this. He said money had been spent on a T shirt which the kids never received. The camp is 4 days and he claimed the kids will get the t shirts on the last day. Very unprofessional! Very rude! No decorum whatsoever
Mercadel Basketball is the best true basketball development program in Orange County. Mercadel also has elite local and national teams that compete at the highest levels. Our son and daughter have trained and played here for the last 3 years. The program is fantastic and the kids are really cared for....while they work to become better athletes and people. We have played at other programs and nothing compares.



