Thank You for Taking the First Step

First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to complete the PREP Athletics assessment. Anyone willing to invest time, energy, and care into their basketball journey is already doing something meaningful. Simply starting this process puts your family ahead of most.

Our goal at PREP Athletics has always been to give families honest, realistic guidance, even when that guidance is difficult to hear.

Where Things Stand Right Now

Based on the information you shared, we’re unfortunately not the right fit to help at this time.

Most traditional prep schools cost between $38,000 and $82,000 per year. When a family’s working budget is under $25,000, pursuing prep school often becomes unrealistic. Not because of effort, talent, or ambition, but simply because of cost.

That reality can feel frustrating. And it’s important for us to say this clearly:

This is not a reflection of ability or potential.

It’s a financial reality many strong basketball families face, and it’s completely okay.

The Good News: You Still Have Real Options

While prep school may not be the right path right now, there are proven, respected alternatives that families in your situation use every year to keep players moving forward.

1. Junior College (JUCO)

Junior college is one of the strongest options for players outside the prep school financial range.

JUCO programs offer:

• A structured academic environment
• A pathway to transfer into 4-year college programs

Multiple Division I and Division II players began their careers at the JUCO level. For the right athlete, it can be a powerful springboard.

2. College Placement Specialists

Another proven path is working with a college placement specialist. These professionals help families navigate recruiting by:

• Guiding film and exposure strategy
• Assisting with outreach to college coaches
• Helping athletes target realistic levels of play

This option is often far more affordable than prep school while still creating meaningful opportunities.

Here are three trusted professionals we respect in the basketball space:

Steve Schafer – Net Result Recruits
Steve has deep relationships with college coaches and a strong track record of helping athletes get seen at the right level.

Dan McHale – Collegiate Recruitment Consultants (CRC)
A former Division I coach, Dan brings firsthand recruiting insight and helps athletes position themselves effectively with college programs.

George White – Recruit U
Known for his one-on-one, family-focused approach. George takes time to understand each player and connects them with realistic opportunities based on ability and goals.

3. Direct Outreach Tools (Taking Control of the Process)

Another option many families pursue is handling direct outreach to college coaches themselves.

One platform we’ve seen simplify this process is Athlete Narrative.

Athlete Narrative allows athletes to:

• Build a clean, one-page recruiting profile in minutes
• Identify real college coaching contacts by division and state
• Send personalized, structured outreach emails directly to coaches
• Receive weekly updates so parents stay informed without feeling overwhelmed

The reality is simple:
A coach cannot recruit a player they don’t know exists.

For families who are organized, proactive, and willing to take ownership of outreach, this can be a practical and affordable way to create visibility.

Athlete Narrative currently costs $15 per month, which can be significantly more accessible than prep school or traditional recruiting services.

We want to be transparent:
PREP Athletics does receive a small affiliate commission if families choose to use this platform. That said, we only recommend tools we believe can genuinely help players move forward when prep school is not the right fit.

If you decide to pursue outreach independently, having a structured system is far better than sending random emails without direction.

One More Tool That Can Help: A Strong Highlight Video

No matter which path a player chooses, one thing remains true in the recruiting process. Coaches need to see a player perform.

A clear, well organized highlight video is often the first thing a coach watches when evaluating a potential recruit. It allows them to quickly understand a player’s strengths, style of play, and basketball IQ.

For families who do not currently pursue the prep school path, a strong highlight video can still play an important role in opening doors.

To help athletes with this, PREP Athletics has partnered with Momentiv Media to offer professional highlight video editing and game coverage for players who want to present themselves in the best possible way. Athletes can submit game footage to be edited into a polished highlight mixtape that can be shared directly with college coaches and recruiting contacts.

If you are planning to reach out to coaches on your own, or if you plan to work with a recruiting advisor, having a clean and professional highlight video can make a meaningful difference.

You can learn more about highlight video options here:
https://www.momentivmedia.com/prepathleticsvideoorder

For questions about the video process, you can also contact the Momentiv Media team directly at momentivmedia.com.

The Bigger Picture

Not pursuing prep school right now does not mean the dream is over.

It simply means the path forward looks different.

Many successful college players never attended prep school. What matters most is choosing a route that aligns with your family’s reality while still keeping momentum moving forward.

Staying Connected

We truly appreciate you reaching out to PREP Athletics.

If your situation changes in the future, or if prep school becomes a realistic option down the road, we’d be happy to reconnect and reassess.

Until then, we’ll be rooting for you as you continue chasing your basketball goals.

You’re doing the right thing by seeking clarity, and we wish your family nothing but success on the journey ahead.