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▶️ Show Notes
Stanford Final Four guard, pro vet, and USA Basketball 3×3 U23 coach Christina Batastini joins Cory to deliver clear, no-nonsense guidance for families navigating prep school basketball. Now the head coach at St. Andrew’s School (NEPSAC AAA), Christina breaks down what truly translates to college—defending your position, decision-making, and making teammates better—and why the Ivy League is real Division I basketball. She explains the prep vs AAU recruiting dynamic, the difference between offers and interest, and how the transfer portal has shifted commitment timelines (and why late spring/summer decisions are increasingly normal). You’ll also hear how reclassing or a post-grad year can be used strategically—without forcing a path that doesn’t fit the student-athlete. If you want practical answers on exposure, academic fit, and the right level (AAA/AA vs A), this conversation keeps the hype out and the player development in.
⏱️Timestamps:
5:25 Discussion of her recruitment and why she chose Stanford over Providence, BC, Wake Forest, Tulane.
7:15 Lessons from playing at Stanford under Tara VanDerveer: intensity, preparation, film study.
8:20 Christina’s overseas professional career: Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland — highs and challenges.
11:53 Adapting to different international basketball cultures and expectations.
15:31 Coaching experience at Brown University and insights into Ivy League recruiting.
19:38 What families don’t know about Ivy League basketball (rigor, athletic level, academic balance).
21:29 Pitch for St. Andrew’s School: location, academics, basketball program history.
27:20 How prep basketball is misunderstood outside New England + reclassing and post-grad options.
31:21 Coaching lessons from USA Basketball and exposure to elite players like Haley Van Lith, Cameron Brink.
33:16 Advice for families weighing reclass vs post-grad decisions.
34:53 What a post-grad year looks like academically at St. Andrew’s.
36:16 College placement strategy in the AAU vs prep school era + transfer portal realities.
40:21 Challenges with college “offers,” portal impacts, late recruiting timelines.
44:23 How Christina communicates with families about realistic recruiting goals and player fit.
49:59 Does prep school class level (A, AA, AAA) matter? Christina’s soapbox moment.
51:55 Future of prep school basketball — increasing professionalism and talent concentration.
54:29 What it takes to be a Division I guard: IQ, defense, decision-making, shooting.
56:50 Best players Christina has played against: Cindy Blodgett, Chamique Holdsclaw, Kate Starbird.
💡 Key Topics:
📌 Ivy League basketball level & academic balance (Ivy League recruiting, high-academic D1)
📌 Reclass vs Post-Grad strategy (reclassing timing, post-grad year structure)
📌 Offers vs Interest & portal era timing (scholarship strategy, commitment windows)
📌 NEPSAC AAA exposure and scheduling (college visibility, national showcases)
📌 D1 guard essentials (defense, decision-making, basketball IQ, shooting)
📌 Prep vs AAU roles in recruiting (placement strategy, coach communication)
🗒️ About Christina Batastini:
A Parade/Nike All-American and Stanford guard who reached the Final Four, Christina played professionally across Europe before coaching at Brown and leading USA Basketball 3×3 U23 Women. She is the Head Girls’ Coach at St. Andrew’s School (NEPSAC AAA), where her teams compete nationally and place student-athletes at collegiate programs.
🔗 Connect with Christina Batastini:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sasrigirlsprephoops/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sasriathletics
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/christinabatastini
Twitter | https://x.com/SASRIAthletics
Twitter | https://x.com/SASRIGirlsHoops
Email | CBatastini@standrews-ri.org
Website | https://www.standrews-ri.org/
🔗 Connect with Cory:
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166
🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:
iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast
Website | https://prepathletics.com/prep-athletics-podcast/
🏀About Us:
PREP Athletics is your trusted partner in navigating the prep school journey for your family. With over a decade of experience, I’ve successfully placed players in top prep schools, leveraging my own post-grad year experience and deep family ties to the world of prep school and professional basketball. Our mission is to guide you through the decision-making process, ensuring if prep school is the right path for you, we find the perfect fit to achieve your academic and athletic aspirations.
👉 Subscribe for insights, tips, and success stories in prep school athletics.
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