Big dreams. Big heart. But small in stature? No problem.

That’s the message that two of the NBA’s biggest little men will deliver at next week’s Lil’ Big Man Camp at Farrington High gym. It’s the inaugural Hawaii stop and the first of three summer camps, the other two in Washington state.

"We formed the Lil’ Big Man Camp to show that through hard work, determination and faith in yourself anything is possible," said Nate Robinson, a 5-foot-9 guard for the Golden State Warriors. "We want to show kids whatever their personal goals may be — it can be making the honor roll, becoming a doctor, a dentist, etc. — never give up and always believe in yourself. There’s no substitute for hard work."

"I honestly never saw being short as a disadvantage," added Isaiah Thomas, the 5-9 Sacramento Kings guard. "No one likes guarding a short guy. We can get through cracks of the defense that a big guy can’t get to.

"I think that attitude has fueled me to the point where I am today. The more time you spend in the gym the more confidence you’ll have in yourself. If we can make it, they can also. That’s the message we’re trying to relay."

And it doesn’t necessarily have to be the NBA. Among the camp coaches are ‘Iolani all-state players who have ridden their skills to Europe: 6-2 Derrick Low, who played at Washington State, is currently under contract with a team in Ukraine; and 6-1 Kyle Pape, who played at Colorado School of Mines, is coming off his first year in Kazakhstan.

"Every time you can help kids, especially with these kinds of (NBA) guys, it’s a good opportunity to give back," Low said. "It’s going to be fun, especially having some of the guys from ‘Iolani. We spent a lot of time together on teams."

Also involved through Oahu-based Elite Sports Academy is Sean Carney, who won state championships in basketball and volleyball at ‘Iolani.

"Nate and Isaiah were coming to do a charity game in Maui and we talked about what kind of players we have in Hawaii," said Carney, a former University of Hawaii setter and hitter. "That is pretty much undersized guards. We don’t have the size, but we can beat bigger teams because of strong fundamentals.

"It fits right in with what Nate and Isaiah do with their camp. We have other guys from Hawaii, not just ‘Iolani, but we were happy that Derrick and Kyle are with us, not because of where they went but because of who they are. They represent making it to the next level and all that comes along with that."

Pape expects to be both the teacher and the student.

"The NBA guys have a lot of experience," Pape said. "I’m trying to learn every day and it’s a good opportunity for me as well to learn.

"We looked up to the people who taught us and I want to be able to give back now."

Carney said he realized that Monday’s Kamehameha Day holiday might conflict with family plans.

"But it’s the reason we dropped the cost to $200 from the normal $300," he said. "If kids can’t make the first day, they can come for the next two. It’s still a good deal."

Robinson and Thomas, who both played their college ball at Washington, also are involved with Saturday’s "Night of Shooting Stars" at the Lahaina Civic Center. Low, Pape and former UH players Bill Amis, Bobby Nash and Julian Sensley also are on the roster that includes NBA players Rudy Gay, Corey Maggette and Patrick Ewing Jr. The pro game starts at 6 p.m., preceded by a celebrity game at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 ahead, $15 at the door.

» nightofshootingstars.com