Jamal Gomes 

Best Hoops Premier Camp Director 

 Bishop Hendricken Boys Basketball Coach

     For over two decades, Jamal Gomes has propelled Bishop Hendricken High School to the pinnacle of success not only in Rhode Island, but regionally, and nationally. In his twenty three years as head coach, Gomes has led Hendricken to a record fifteen Rhode Island State Championships in the last nineteen seasons. This includes seven consecutive state championships from 2004-2010; which ties the state record for most consecutive state championship seasons. 

     A proven winner, tireless worker, and innovative motivator, Gomes' teams have a proven record of sustained growth and improvement as each season progresses. The culture of family, tradition, loyalty, positive relationships, effective communication and teamwork that he has fostered has created a legacy that continues to grow. This work has allowed Jamal to guide his student-athletes to unprecedented levels of success. 

     In addition to his tenure at Hendricken and twenty-three years as co-director of Best Hoops, Gomes has led several camps for the regionally recognized Hoop Mountain Basketball Camp for over ten years.  Gomes was also afforded the privilege to work at the prestigious USA Basketball Regional Camp in Boston.  Gomes credits much of his success to his friend and mentor, Coach Steve Ceseretti, his supportive family, and the thousands of campers and student-athletes he's had the opportunity to work with over the years.

     Jamal says that he has two homes, Rehoboth, Massachusetts; where he resides with his wife, Tara, and his two daughters, Madison, and Avery, and Bishop Hendricken High School; where he works as athletic director, school counselor and men's basketball coach. 

       A graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School in 1991, Gomes was a three year varsity player. During his senior year, Jamal was awarded the Gatorade Player of the Year, the state of RI's top award for a high school basketball player and earned a full basketball scholarship to attend Stonehill College where he became a 1,000 point career scorer and captain of his team. After college, Gomes played professionally in Ireland before returning to Hendricken to begin his teaching and coaching career.

      Coach Gomes has enjoyed the great blessing of working with hundreds of outstanding young student-athletes, many who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional basketball level, and many who have achieved success in their daily lives, family lives and personal careers.

      On December 18th, 2018, Jamal received one of the great honors and blessings to be bestowed upon a coach.  The Bishop Hendricken community officially named their basketball court in Pepin Gymnasium in honor of Coach Jamal Gomes '91.  The evening took place in front of a sold out crowd with many of Coach Gomes' former players, family and friends in attendance to celebrate. Most recently, in November of 2019, Coach Gomes was inducted into the Stonehill College Athletic Hall of Fame.