Why NIL Changed Everything for High School and College Recruiting
College basketball recruiting used to start with one thing relationships.
Coach Jared Grasso of The Knox School (Former Division I head coach at Bryant) explains, recruiting begins with a new question:
“How much can I make?”
This shift has completely reshaped how high school recruits, post-grads, and transfer portal players evaluate programs. Grasso breaks down where NIL matters, where it doesn’t, and how mid-majors gained real leverage by building strong collectives.
Relationships Still Matter But NIL Now Sits at the Front of Every Conversation
Cory: Before NIL, how did most recruiting relationships begin?
Grasso: “It started with who you trusted. Parents wanted to know, ‘Is my kid going to be coached? Is he going to be pushed? Is he going to be cared for?’”
Grasso: “That part still matters. The relationship is still the most important thing—but NIL has changed when it enters the conversation.”
Grasso: “Now the first question in many homes is, ‘What can my kid make?’ And if you can’t answer that, you’re already behind.”
Knox School athletes representing the program with energy, talent, and next-level competitive fire.
How NIL Became Step One of the Recruiting Process
Cory: Did you feel the shift immediately as a Division I head coach?
Grasso: “It happened fast. NIL changed everything overnight.”
Grasso: “Three years ago, you talked culture, development, academics. Now, before you even get to that, families want to understand the financial piece.”
Grasso: “You’re not getting a kid in the door if you can’t explain how your NIL works.”
Why Mid-Major Programs Built Collectives And Won Because of It
The Knox School gym—home of the Falcons and one of the most unique prep basketball environments in the Northeast.
Cory: How did you approach NIL at Bryant?
Grasso: “We built a collective because we had to. If you don’t have a collective, you don’t have a chance in recruiting anymore.”
Grasso: “For a mid-major, it’s not about matching high-majors dollar for dollar. It’s about having something, so you’re not walking into a fight empty-handed.”
Grasso: “Our collective gave us an edge. It kept players. It attracted players. It leveled the playing field.”
Grasso: “The portal made it necessary. NIL made it unavoidable.”
Knox School attacking the rim during a home matchup, showcasing strong fundamentals and high-level prep competition.
NIL Didn’t Replace Relationships It Just Changed the Sequence
Cory: For parents and players trying to navigate this, what do they need to understand?
Grasso: “Everyone thinks NIL killed relationships. It didn’t. It just moved them to the second part of the conversation.”
Grasso: “Families want to know the NIL number first. Once that’s clear, then they want to know:
‘Do I trust this coach? Is this the right environment?’”
Grasso: “If you can combine both—real NIL clarity and real relationships—that’s where programs win.”
The Real Recruiting Math in 2025
Knox School basketball coach Jared Grasso pictured on media day, representing the program with pride.
Grasso: “Here’s the truth: coaches used to sell vision. Now, you sell role + development + NIL.”
Grasso: “And the kids who understand how all three connect are the ones who make the best decisions.”
Cory’s Takeaway NIL Is Here, and Families Need a Plan
Coach Grasso makes one thing clear: NIL didn’t break recruiting—it reordered it.
Families that understand both the financial landscape and the relationship-driven reality behind successful college placement make better decisions.
If your son is entering prep school, the portal era, or a post-grad year, we’re here to help you navigate NIL clarity, development fit, and long-term recruiting strategy.
Explore more interviews and insights at PREP Athletics to guide your family’s next step.
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.