Prep School Basketball Recruiting: Why Sophomore Reclass Years Matter
Reclassifying for basketball isn’t just about buying more time. For many players, the real advantage comes from making that move during sophomore year—not waiting until a post-grad season. This early adjustment can mean the difference between struggling for minutes or developing into a long-term Division I recruit.
We sat down with Coach Lamar Reddicks of Milton Academy, a veteran prep coach who’s helped players reach programs like Boston College, Purdue, Harvard, and Princeton. His perspective on the sophomore reclass year is a game-changer for athletes and families navigating prep school basketball.
Reclassifying for Basketball: How It Works
Cory: “Some Class A teams have post-grads, but you don’t. How does that balance out?”
Lamar Reddicks: “We can’t use post-grads, which is very rare in Class A. When we won the championship two years ago, we were the first school to do it without post-grads. But I’ve had kids reclassify. They finish their sophomore year at their public school and redo that sophomore year here at Milton.”
At Milton, reclassifying doesn’t mean repeating the same classes.
Lamar: “We don’t just have a traditional English class—we have electives. Students still progress academically, while benefiting from an extra year of development.”
Coach Lamar Reddicks rallies Milton Academy players in a huddle, showcasing the culture, mentorship, and multi-year growth behind prep school basketball.
The Sophomore Reclass Year: A Development Sweet Spot
Cory: “And the benefit for you too, is you’ve got kids for multiple years, not just coming in and out for nine months at a time.”
Lamar: “Exactly. We get kids here for at least two years, if not three. I’ve found the sweet spot is the sophomore year. This league is so competitive that the first year is challenging. Even really good players struggle at first. In year two, they’re a lot better. By year three, they’ve been through battles and know what it takes to excel. That’s a huge advantage.”
Basketball Development Year: Why Timing Matters
Milton Academy players gather in a huddle at TD Garden, reflecting the teamwork, resilience, and multi-year growth gained through early reclass years.
Lamar: “If you reclassify as a sophomore, you’re giving yourself multiple years to grow in the program. By the time college coaches are recruiting you, you’ve already had that adjustment year. That’s when you see the big jumps in development.”
This early reclass year functions as a basketball development year—allowing players to sharpen their skills, adjust to prep-level competition, and increase their exposure long before graduation.
Milton Academy players celebrate together, showcasing the long-term growth and team culture that make sophomore reclass years a valuable pathway.
Prep School Reclass vs. Post-Grad
Cory: “For someone who doesn’t understand reclassifying vs. post-grad, how do you explain the difference?”
Lamar: “If you reclassify early, I have to identify you at 14 instead of 18. That’s harder, but the payoff is big. By junior or senior year, you’ve had two or three years of high-level coaching, daily competition, and real playing time. That’s where the growth happens.”
For families weighing options, this underscores the value of an early prep school transfer instead of waiting until after high school.
More Important Than A, AA, or AAA
Milton Academy athletes build strength in the weight room, showing how training and preparation complement the long-term benefits of a sophomore reclass year.
Cory: “Families ask me all the time if it matters what level—A, AA, AAA. What do you say?”
Lamar: “Don’t fall in love with a Roman numeral. There are good players everywhere. The most important thing is playing time and finding the right coach. That matters more than the league label.”
Final Thoughts from Cory
Coach Reddicks nailed it: the sophomore reclass year can change everything. Instead of cramming development into a post-grad season, athletes who reclassify earlier get multiple years to grow, compete, and stand out to college recruiters.
If you’re considering whether reclassifying or transferring early makes sense for your child, reach out to me at PREP Athletics. I’ll walk you through the options and help you find the right prep school fit for both athletics and academics.
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.