Introduction

The prep school basketball world has grown over the past five years.  Brick and mortar prep schools have added second teams, basketball academies are forming in almost every state in the country, and it has gotten more confusing than ever when trying to navigate.  This series will educate families, coaches and players on the specifics of this world to help them find the best fitting option for their athlete.

Definition of prep schools and basketball academies

Think of prep schools as mini college campuses.  They have dorms, administration offices, classrooms, school nurses, support staff, alumni networks, accreditation and Wikipedia pages.  Some of them, such as West Nottingham Academy have been around since before the United State was founded.  Alumni from these schools have become presidents of the United States, Congressmen and women, CEOs, activists, artists, professional athletes, astronauts and more.

Basketball academies do not have this tradition or structure. Most are started with good intentions and some do a great job.  (This is not a piece stating that you shouldn’t go to a basketball academy, it is simply educating you on the differences between the two options.) These academies tend to come in different shapes and sizes.  You have ones that are strictly for post-grads others are usually associated with a private school and the academy is an add-on.  The ones that are not associated with a school will do their academics via online classes.  Both academies and prep schools will get a player better on the court, but what will the entire experience be like and what is the end result?

Importance of choosing the right development path

If you want to play in a brick and mortar prep school you have to have certain characteristics.  You have to be a solid player, have good grades, be interesting, have funds or the ability to earn aid, or some combination of all of these.  There are only so many prep school roster spots and more and more players from around the US and world are vying for these limited options..  Prep school is unfortunately not for everyone.  Feel free to reach out to PREP Athletics for a free evaluation to see if this could be a potential option for you.

If prep school is not an option, then you can explore a basketball academy.  Choosing the right option can be life changing.  I have helped players in the past choose basketball academies and they got better and eventually placed into a college program.  But the key to choosing either a prep school or academy is to do your due diligence.

Overview of basketball training differences

One advantage of a basketball academy is the time on the court.  There are typically fewer mandatory requirements here than at a prep school.  A prep school, all athletes will need to take academic classes, attend school wide assemblies, potentially play another sport, meet with an advisor etc.  This won’t be required at a basketball academy which means more time to train.  But this is my thought on time in the gym: Quality versus Quantity.  Some prep schools and academies get into an arms race about how much time will be spent in the gym or weight room. Time in the gym does not matter to me as much as what a player is doing with that time.  Being in a gym for up to 10 hours doesn’t equate to more development.  But going full out game speed during a 30-minute workout will deliver just as much if not more of a result.

In doing your due diligence be sure to ask who will be doing the development and what is their experience.  Will it be the head coach or an assistant?  What are their qualifications? Can you watch a practice or workout either in person or on video?  Talk to families and players that are currently in the program or who have just left.  Due diligence is key in all of these areas.

Coaching Structure and Quality

Prep school coaching credentials and stability

Prep school coaches come in different shapes and sizes.  You have an older generation of coaches such as Mike Hart (St Andrews), Jere Quinn (St Thomas More) and Whit Lesure (Bridgton Academy) who have over 100 years in total coaching experience.  This in turn leads to a large rolodex of contacts in the college coaching ranks.  When these prep school coaches call colleges, they get results.  There are also prep school coaches as young as 23 years old and right out of college.  While these young men don’t have the rolodex or experience, they are hungry and have the energy to devote a lot of time to coaching, recruiting and making contacts at the college level.  I tell anyone who will listen that the most important factor in choosing a prep school is a player’s relationship to their coach. If a prep school coach is at a school where the administration is supportive, there are very few reasons for that coach to ever leave.  These coaching jobs are coveted in the basketball world which is why you see former college assistant coaches vying for these jobs when one opens up.  When reaching out to these prep school coaches don’t be afraid to ask them how long they plan to be at this school and how supportive the higher ups are of the program.

Academy coaching arrangements

At an academy anyone can be on the coaching staff.  Usually the founder is the head coach.  They ideally will have one or more assistants to help them with coaching, training, supervision and placement. It is vital to do a background search on the coach and the assistants who will be in charge of your child.  Unfortunately in the past there have been some coaches with criminal histories running these academies.  I spend almost all of my time keeping up with the trends and movements in the brick and mortar prep school world so I don’t have the bandwidth, or frankly the desire to know who the reputable academy coaches and programs are.  I will keep repeating this because it is very important.  Be sure to do your Due Diligence.  Ask the current staff what their qualifications are, ask to talk to current and past families that have attended this program, ask college coaches near the academy their opinion on the program.  Also who will be the adults supervising the athletes at the academy’s housing situation?

Competition Level and Game Experience

Prep school competitive structure and league play

Prep schools play against other prep schools who have “a principal and a prom.”  These schools are accredited and have histories.  Academies play other academies and sometimes junior colleges.  The talent that academies play

College Placement Success

One of the most important benefits of going to a prep school is that a coach has to place you in a college program.  It may not be D1 or a full scholarship, but it will be the best fit for you at the time.  Every year these coaches place players from high major to high academic D3 to everything in between.  It isn’t easy but these coaches are connected to the college level and this is vital in today’s game.

For basketball academies they should have no problem placing their D1 talented players.  My question, always is whether or not they are placing all the players on their bench.  This is easy to check.  Just ask a coach where all of their players, to include those at the end of the bench, have ended up.  Don’t be afraid to ask coaches at both options for references that you can call to get a first hand account of a family’s experience.

Conclusion: Make Your Move with Confidence

Choosing between a prep school and a basketball academy is a big decision—one that can shape your future both on and off the court. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a right answer for your family and your goals. The key is doing your homework: ask tough questions, talk to current and former families, and never settle for surface-level promises. Whether you’re drawn to the tradition and structure of a brick-and-mortar prep school or the flexibility and focus of a basketball academy, your diligence now will pay off down the road. If you want honest guidance or a second opinion, reach out to PREP Athletics. I’m here to help you navigate this process and find the best fit for your basketball journey.

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 YouTube or our podcast to dive deeper.