Recruiting Faster in 2026 Requires the Right Path, Not the Fastest One
Families still ask which route gets a player recruited the fastest, but speed without readiness usually backfires. We touched on this when we sat down with Curtis Peery, head coach at Massanutten Military Academy, who has evaluated players coming from high school, post-grad prep, and JUCO in the transfer-portal era.
How College Coaches Evaluate High School Players Today
Cory:
“When you’re evaluating a high school kid today, what are you actually trying to project?”
Curtis:
“You’re projecting everything. You’re projecting physical development, emotional maturity, basketball maturity, habits, discipline, all of it.”
Curtis:
“It’s hard because you’re guessing.”
Curtis:
“You’re betting on what a kid might be two or three years from now.”
Nothing is given in the paint.
Why Post-Grad Players Are Easier to Trust
Curtis:
“With a post-grad kid, you’re not projecting as much.”
Curtis:
“You’re seeing a more finished product.”
Curtis:
“You’ve had another year of physical development, another year of habits, another year of structure.”
Curtis:
“That matters to coaches.”
Post-Grad Prep Builds College-Ready Habits
Cory:
“What do you think prep schools do well when they do it right?”
Curtis:
“They teach kids how to be college players.”
Curtis:
“They teach practice habits, accountability, how to live on a schedule, how to compete every day.”
Curtis:
“You’re not just evaluating talent. You’re evaluating readiness.”
JUCO: Immediate Minutes Come With Pressure
Learning happens when the game stops.
Curtis:
“JUCO can be great for the right kid.”
Curtis:
“You might play right away.”
Curtis:
“But you’re also in survival mode.”
Curtis:
“You’re worried about minutes, production, staying eligible, and moving on.”
How the Transfer Portal Changed Recruiting Decisions
Curtis:
“With the portal, coaches don’t have to wait anymore.”
Curtis:
“They can get older players.”
Curtis:
“They can get players who’ve already shown they can handle college basketball.”
Curtis:
“That changes how high school kids are evaluated.”
How you carry yourself still matters.
Age and Experience Create Trust
Cory:
“So when a coach looks at a post-grad kid versus a high school senior, what’s the difference?”
Curtis:
“Trust.”
Curtis:
“You trust someone who’s been through more.”
Curtis:
“You trust someone who’s lived it a little longer.”
Where Prep Can Outperform JUCO for Exposure
Curtis:
“At good prep schools, you’re getting seen.”
Curtis:
“You’re playing against other college-level players.”
Curtis:
“You’re in an environment where college coaches know what they’re watching.”
The Risk of Chasing Speed Over Development
Guidance matters at every step.
Curtis:
“Everybody wants it fast.”
Curtis:
“But if you’re not ready, it doesn’t matter how fast you get there.”
Curtis:
“You still have to survive once you arrive.”
Recruiting Takeaway: Choose Readiness Over Rush
There’s no universal answer between high school, post-grad prep, and JUCO. The right path depends on readiness, habits, and how much projection a college coach has to make. If you want help with pressure-testing which route fits your situation and building a plan that holds up once you arrive on campus, reach out to PREP Athletics and we’ll help you choose the path that actually moves you forward.
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.