Prep School Basketball Recruiting: Post-Grad Year vs. Reclass—What Every Athlete and Family Needs to Know
Bold truth: in 2025, the extra year—not the label—is the lever that moves your recruitment. We dove into this when I sat down with Coach Jared Grasso of The Knox School (and former Division I head coach at Bryant). His perspective—built on 21 years in D1—cuts through the noise and helps families align basketball development with academic eligibility.
Cory Heitz x Coach Jared Grasso
Cory: “Now here’s the question that comes up pretty common… should I reclassify when I go to a prep school or just stay on the track, I’m on and then do a post-grad year? Do you have an opinion on that?”
The Knox School prep basketball team in their official white jerseys representing the roster.
Post-Grad Year vs. Reclass: What Actually Matters in 2025
Jared: “We can go either way with it at Knox. I don’t think it matters… we have a varsity program and a post-grad program… If you’re coming to Knox and you reclass or stay in your class, if you want to do a fifth year, you play for my national team.”
Jared: “So for us, it doesn’t really matter which direction you go… if you’re going to do a fifth year, you’re going to do a fifth year. I don’t think the reclassifying piece matters… eight, ten years ago [it] mattered a little bit more… now… I think if you need it academically, you can do it.”
Jared: “Some kids do it for the AAU piece so they can play that year down, which… I don’t think makes a lot of sense. I think you want to play against your class or older guys… For the high school and postgraduate reason, I don’t think it matters either way.”
Cory: “Yeah, as long as you get five years in, doesn’t really matter.”
Why the Fifth Year Boosts Recruiting and Readiness
The Knox School prep basketball team posing for the official team portrait in black uniforms.
Jared: “Without question, I was very rarely recruiting a straight high school kid… I like that extra prep year. I think it’s big for players’ development… you’re playing against really good players… Division I players… you have a chance to get exposure and compete against higher level guys… I think that extra year maturity is really important, especially now where guys are so old because of the transfer portal and the COVID year… there’s so many reasons that guys are older that I think that extra year is really important.”
Jared: “If you’re a good player and a good fit academically, I don’t think it matters what level you’re at… People are going to find you… it’s about finding the right fit… both academically and basketball wise.”
Knox School players in black jerseys share a handshake during a competitive prep basketball game.
Academic Pathways That Align Eligibility with Hoops Goals
Cory: “If I’m doing a post-grad year at Knox, what are my academic requirements or options?”
Jared: “We have high school level courses as well as college level courses. We have three colleges in the area… If someone needs a core class for their academic eligibility, we’ll make sure they’re taking that core… We have block scheduling where guys will be in class from eight to noon every day… you have the opportunity to take college level classes as well as high school level stuff depending on your needs… Some kids want a lighter schedule… Some kids are trying to take college level classes because they’re trying to get ahead academically.”
College-Style Development: Daily Volume That Shortens the Learning Curve
Knox School players gather in a timeout huddle during a prep basketball matchup.
Jared: “We’re going to have three sessions a day… an early bird session for skill work… We’ll practice… two and a half hours… usually have a weightlifting session after practice three to four days a week… at night we’ll have another skill session… So, we have three sessions a day plus weightlifting… it’s just going to expedite your curve.”
Jared: “Out of season… we have our guy’s training year-round… we’re trying to give our guys as much as we can… to help them take their game to the next level… it’s similar to a college day… you’re up at 6 a.m. for weightlifting… individual workout… practice… weightlifting… study hall.”
College Rules, 40-Game Schedule, and Physicality—Built-In Prep for the Next Level
Jared: “We’ve played 36 games… going to play at least four more… you’re talking about a 40-game schedule as opposed to a 20-game high school schedule… that year just expedites your curve… I don’t think a lot of people are recruiting kids straight from high school unless they’re those elite players.”
Cory: “And you guys play college rules. What’s the benefit…?”
Jared: “We do play college rules… the 40-minute game is an adjustment… shooting from the three-point ball from the college line is a big adjustment… being officiated by college officials… the level of physicality and… being prepared for what being officiated in a college game is, I think guys get that as well.”
The Bottom Line for Families and Coaches
If you remember one thing, make it this: the fifth year is the difference-maker—use it to grow, get older, face better competition, and align academics with NCAA eligibility. Reclassing is simply a route; the value comes from the year of development and a college-style environment.
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.
