Prep School Basketball Recruiting: Why a PG Year Can Change Everything
For players and families serious about playing college basketball, a post-grad (PG) year can be the bridge between “almost ready” and “ready to contribute from day one.” We dug into this when I sat down with Jon Stone, head coach at The Hun School and a veteran of 25 years in prep basketball. Jon has placed countless players in top college programs and has seen firsthand how an extra year impacts academics, athletics, and personal growth. Academic Growth & Transcript Strength
Cory: Now, you’ve placed a lot of kids in collegiate basketball programs. For families looking at high-academic colleges—Patriot League, Ivy, NESCAC—does it really matter if you go to a prep school?
Jon Stone:
“I think being in a school like this can put you in a better overall situation. One is the strength of your transcript and the quality of your transcript. A lot of those schools are familiar with us. When admissions sees those transcripts, they know the student can do the work at their place.”
“For some kids, an extra year of English, math, or history makes them more prepared. I’ve had high-GPA, high-SAT kids call me after their freshman year in college saying how thankful they were for the PG year because of how well prepared they felt.”
The Hun School basketball team comes together during a timeout for strategy and motivation.
Independence & Maturity Before College
Jon Stone:
“College coaches love that a kid has done an extra year and lived away from home. Hun players hit the ground running—they’re not overwhelmed academically or socially, and they’re used to being independent. Sometimes, they’ve already gotten the homesickness out in prep school, so they can focus on basketball.”
On-Court Readiness & Strength Training
Jon Stone:
“We have a strength and conditioning program where players learn Olympic lifts and other advanced training before college. My guys call me saying they’ve been moved up to lift with the upperclassmen—not because they’re the strongest, but because they already know what they’re doing. That gives them a huge edge.”
Exposure & Recruiting Advantage
The Hun School basketball team and families celebrate Senior Night on the home court.
Jon Stone:
“We play in live recruiting events with 100 to 150 college coaches coming through. Some of our players pick up offers directly from those weekends. Once the season starts, we often have a college coach in the stands every game.”
“We also host fall workouts where coaches can see our guys. Between those events, our players are rarely under-recruited—they end up in the right spot for their abilities.”
Hun School players show sportsmanship and encouragement during a competitive game.
Cultural & Personal Development
Jon Stone:
“We have kids from all over the world. When you live and learn alongside international students, it broadens your perspective and makes you more well-rounded. By the time you get to college, your eyes are more open, and you’re more prepared for the world.”
Final Take from Cory
Hun School basketball players pose for a pre-season team portrait in uniform.
Jon’s insights reinforce what I’ve seen over years of working with families—a well-chosen PG year can be a game-changer. It’s not just about basketball skills. It’s about academics, maturity, readiness, and exposure. If you or your child is considering a post-grad year, make sure you’re choosing a program that challenges in the classroom, develops physically, and opens recruiting doors.
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.