Prep School Basketball Recruiting: What Every Athlete and Family Needs to Know
Recruiting has changed—and families who don’t adapt risk being left behind. The transfer portal has reshaped how college coaches build rosters, often pushing high school players down the priority list. To get clarity, I sat down with Coach Steve Turner, Head of Basketball Operations and National Team Head Coach at Montverde Academy, one of the most respected prep basketball programs in the world.
The Transfer Portal Has Changed Everything
Cory: We talked back in 2021 about college placement. How have you seen college placement change these past four years?
Coach Turner:
“Heavily. Because of the way the transfer portal was opened up, those guys are now chasing men or they’re chasing the kids who are in the top 10%. Some of those guys that maybe used to be in the top 50% won’t be high major players as they were before. It’s really gonna be important for you to do your due diligence… because the high school kid is not the first choice for a lot of these college basketball programs now. They want men, they want to be older, they want to be more mature, they want to have guys who’ve had experiences that a high school kid just doesn’t get.”
The Montverde Academy basketball team poses on court beneath their championship banners, showcasing the program’s tradition of excellence and development.
Setting the Right Level First
Coach Turner:
“You may think your child is Carolina worthy, but he may only be American University worthy. And that’s not a fault to him or to what he is as a basketball player. It’s just the landscape that we’re in now. You gotta be prepared to help your child fall down and get back up.”
Playing Your Way Up: Real Success Stories
Montverde Academy athletes celebrate NBA Draft night alongside their mentor, reflecting the prep school’s legacy of producing top basketball talent.
Coach Turner:
“Let’s use Blake Harper. We just talked about it. I know what Blake was dreaming for coming out of high school. Those things didn’t come knocking on his door, but he took advantage of an opportunity to where he could go. And now he’s played his way up. So you shouldn’t be afraid of having that opportunity if you truly are willing to bet on yourself or bet on your child.”
A Montverde Academy alum proudly holds his jersey at the NBA Draft, showcasing the prep school’s legacy of developing elite basketball talent.
Mid-Majors, Analytics, and Opportunity
Coach Turner:
“I’m seeing kids leave from mid-majors and low-majors scoring eight points and becoming starters on top 25 teams in the country. The coaches are able to look at the analytics. They’re able to watch film. They’re able to see what your kid’s doing. They’re evaluating. And those schools are going to be able to come and have folks connect you to them moving up.”
Don’t Skip the Process
A Montverde Academy prospect showcases his #25 jersey on NBA Draft night, representing the school’s tradition of preparing players for the next level.
Coach Turner:
“My message to the parents and the families and the players: don’t be afraid of having to take an opportunity to play yourself up to what you want. Because sometimes now you can’t skip processes. You can’t skip the steps. There are gonna be different steps than there were in the past, but the steps are there… So don’t allow that to derail you or get you down. Maybe you have to play one level down to get to the level you really want to get to.”
Final Word: Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
The path to college basketball has never been more complex—but also never more possible for those who understand the landscape. Coach Turner made it clear: high school players can still earn offers, but families must be strategic, patient, and open-minded about starting points.
At PREP Athletics, I’ve seen time and again that the right fit—athletically and academically—creates the best long-term outcome. Don’t get discouraged if the first offer isn’t a “dream school.” The key is getting in, developing, and positioning yourself to “play up” when the time comes.
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.
