Prep School Basketball Recruiting: What Every Athlete and Family Needs to Know
The transfer portal and NIL have completely changed the recruiting landscape, and high school players are feeling the ripple effects. That’s why the value of a post-grad (PG) year at a prep school has never been higher. We covered this in my interview with Alex Gallagher, head coach at Noble & Greenough School (Nobles), who has seen firsthand how the PG path creates opportunities that the portal often shuts down.
Why Prep School Advocacy Matters in the Transfer Portal Era
Cory: It’s not great. Right. And that’s why I’ve been on my soapbox saying you’ve got to look at a prep school option if you qualify for it, because you need an advocate in this day and age. To me, guys like you are advocates that have integrity. You’re never going to steer a coach wrong because you’ve got to talk to that coach year after year. And that’s part of your job. That’s what people are paying for—placement into college.
Alex: Yep. Totally.
The Nobles girls’ basketball team poses together on the court, showcasing team unity and preparation during the season.
The Pressure on College Coaches—and How That Impacts High School Players
Alex: I have a lot of friends who coach at the next level on both the men’s and the women’s side. That’s a really hard job right now. I’ve talked to people who say after a hard practice, their first thought is, “Who did I lose today?”
The thought of having to internally recruit your own program while also recruiting outside feels really complicated to me. Of all the things developing in college sports, especially basketball and football, I wish there were a limit on how many times you could transfer without penalty. The idea of three schools in four years—or four schools in four years—just doesn’t sit right.
The Risks of the Transfer Portal vs. The Stability of a PG Year
The Nobles girls’ basketball team celebrates a championship victory, proudly holding their trophy alongside coaches and supporters.
Cory: Like half of them don’t get picked up, and their careers are just over. The question I’ve got is: who are the people advising these kids? I’ve got former players who went in the portal from D1 and now their careers are done—just like that.
Alex: Yeah. Totally.
NIL and the New Realities Families Must Understand
Alex: I was reaching out to people saying, “How do I best advise this person?” In the portal, for a lot of athletes, the high school coach suddenly has to step back into an advisory role. And with NIL on the table, unless you study it, you don’t know the options.
I’m really struck reading articles about the portal where it says things like, “So-and-so signed a two-year, $4 million contract.” That’s free agency in college sports now.
The Nobles girls basketball team celebrates in a joyful huddle after a big win, holding their trophy and sharing the moment together.
Post-Grad as a Launching Pad
Cory: Here’s the cool thing I’m dealing with now in the post-grad world: I’ve got a kid, one of the top players from a state on the West Coast, who already had low-major offers. He committed to a prep school out East. If he performs in June or at showcases, he could bump up to mid- or high-major and put six figures in his pocket. Post-grad is now almost a launching pad to get more money.
Alex: Totally. Yep. 100%.
Key Takeaway: Why Prep Still Wins
Nobles’ basketball players pose together in the gym, holding a Spalding Legacy ball and representing teamwork and prep school basketball pride.
Cory’s Closing Thoughts: The portal has created more uncertainty than opportunity for high school players. A PG year at the right prep school gives you an advocate, stability, and a proven development path. That’s a better bet than rolling the dice on the transfer market. If you’re a player or parent considering this step, reach out to me—I’ll help you find the right fit to maximize both basketball and academics.
If you’re looking into prep school, reach out to us at PREP Athletics. We’re here to help you explore your potential and make choices that align with your athletic and academic future. We’ve also got a long list of resources to get you started in the right direction, so check out our latest prep basketball updates on YouTube or our podcast to dive deeper.