Prep School Basketball Recruiting: What Every Athlete and Family Needs to Know
For families weighing prep school against staying in high school, the decision comes down to one thing—which path gives the best shot at college basketball success. We touched on this topic when I sat down with Coach Craig Carter of South Kent School, who has coached Division 1 men’s and women’s basketball and now leads one of the premier prep programs in the country. His perspective offers clarity on the development, competition, and recruiting advantages that prep schools can provide.
Development at Prep School vs. High School
Cory: When you were at the D1 level, what were your thoughts on prep school kids versus kids straight out of high school?
Craig Carter:
“It didn’t really matter as much. Development is development, right? And so what I try to tell people is prep school only becomes a great advantage for you if you make it an advantage. You’re not going to just come here and like walk through this portal and all of a sudden, you’re going to shoot 40 percent from three… All the year does is give you another year to work on all that kind of stuff to add to your bag, right? To become more of a complete player. And if you don’t take advantage of that, all you’re going to do is just be a year older, but not a year wiser.”
Coach Craig Carter leads South Kent players in a crucial timeout huddle, emphasizing strategy, teamwork, and preparation at the prep school basketball level.
The Investment Question: Playing Time and Expectations
Cory: Families often ask about the return on investment. They want to know what kind of playing time or end result to expect.
Craig Carter:
“I tell them that your son dictates playing time, right? Everybody’s going to get an opportunity. But you have to earn that opportunity. I can’t just say, well, because your mom and dad are paying this money, I’m just going to let you play 20 minutes a game. And then we get beat by 40 because you’re not in the gym, not working on your shot, not watching film. You have to earn it.”
Competing with D1 Talent Every Day
A South Kent player throws down a dunk in front of teammates, capturing the energy, development, and exposure opportunities of prep school basketball.
Cory: Some prep programs are loaded with Division 1 talent, while others may only have a handful of college prospects. What’s the tradeoff?
Craig Carter:
“It depends on the kid, but here’s what I’ll tell you. If you got 10 D1 kids on your team, you got a lot of people in the gym. And even if your kid is not a D1 kid, that D1 guy might be up for a D2 or D3 job or has a friend at another program. Just because those specific eyes aren’t here, doesn’t mean they’re not on you. But you have to rise to the challenge and make those coaches come back for you.”
South Kent basketball players gather in a pre-game huddle, emphasizing teamwork, preparation, and the brotherhood of prep school basketball.
Timing and the Recruiting Calendar
Cory: With NIL, the transfer portal, and new recruiting windows, what should families know about timing?
Craig Carter:
“What I’ve been talking to parents about now is make sure you have a bang-up spring and summer so you can drum up some interest. Because when schools find out you’re going to take an extra year to play in a NEPSAC AAA, which is super competitive, it brings those eyes to you. Now it’s your job to make those eyes stay on you. It’s not my job to keep calling plays just for you. It’s your job to play the right way so coaches want to keep coming back.”
Final Word: Prep School as an Opportunity, Not a Guarantee
South Kent basketball players gather in a pre-game huddle, emphasizing teamwork, preparation, and the brotherhood of prep school basketball.
Coach Carter’s message is clear: prep school can open doors, but only if players fully commit to the process. The environment, competition, and exposure are there—but families and players must take ownership of the work.
Straight Talk from Cory
At PREP Athletics, we’ve seen it time and again—prep school can be a game-changer for players who are ready to embrace the challenge. But like Coach Carter said, it’s not a magic portal. It’s an opportunity that rewards the kids who put in the work every single day. If you’re considering this path for your family, let’s talk through your unique situation and find the right fit.
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.