Best Post Grad Basketball Podcasts (2025)

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Ben Veshi: How Hargrave Builds College-Ready Guards 50:47

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7d ago50:47

50:47

Hargrave Military Academy head coach Ben Veshi joins Cory to give a straight, inside look at prep school basketball, player development, and college placement in 2025. Veshi explains Hargrave’s structured, military-style environment, why it accelerates maturity and on-court performance, and how the program’s two-a-days, weight room cadence, and ~50…

1
Sean Crocker: Mercersburg Coach on D1 Guards 38:18

21d ago38:18

38:18

Mercersburg Academy head coach Sean Crocker brings two decades across college hoops, Hoop Group, and the MAPL to this no-fluff episode. Sean breaks down exactly what college coaches need from a Division I guard—defend multiple positions, handle pressure, and make open threes—then shows how he develops those habits: 1,000–1,500 made shots per week, …

1
Christina Batastini: St. Andrew’s Coach on D1 Guard Musts 1:06:14

1M ago1:06:14

1:06:14

Stanford Final Four guard, pro vet, and USA Basketball 3x3 U23 coach Christina Batastini joins Cory to deliver clear, no-nonsense guidance for families navigating prep school basketball. Now the head coach at St. Andrew’s School (NEPSAC AAA), Christina breaks down what truly translates to college—defending your position, decision-making, and making…

1
Steve Turner: A New Era At Montverde Academy 58:10

2M ago58:10

58:10

Steve Turner—now Head of Basketball Operations and National Team Head Coach at Montverde Academy—breaks down the modern prep-to-college pathway with zero fluff. After 26 years at Gonzaga College High School, Turner explains why he chose Montverde, how he builds a “we over me” roster for EYBL Scholastic, and why academics still matter for top-50 tal…

1
George White RecruitU Founder on College Recruiting Truths 55:27

2M ago55:27

55:27

In this episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, Cory Heitz sits down with George White, former Division I player at Harvard, longtime college coach across D3, D2, D1, and the NBA/G-League, and founder of RecruitU. George brings unmatched perspective from both coaching and recruiting sides of the game, helping families cut through the noise and focus…

1
Marcus O’Neil: Why Most Kids Miss D1 Dreams 57:23

3M ago57:23

57:23

Coach Marcus O’Neil of Tilton School is back—and he’s got wisdom to share. With 15+ years at Tilton, a national prep championship, and a resume that includes NBA alumni like Wayne Selden, Nerlens Noel, Terance Mann, and Georges Niang, Marcus breaks down what really matters when it comes to prep school basketball and college placement. In this conve…

1
Dan McHale: D1 Coach Reveals Recruiting Realities 40:08

3M ago40:08

40:08

Dan McHale—former D1 head coach at Eastern Kentucky and long-time assistant under Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, and Kevin Willard—joins Cory Heitz to pull back the curtain on what college coaches actually look for in recruits. From his start as a student manager at Kentucky during their 1998 national title run, to coaching in the Big East, Big Ten, and…

1
Alex Gallagher: Why D1-or-Bust Hurts Players and Families 1:04:13

4M ago1:04:13

1:04:13

In this episode, Cory welcomes Alex Gallagher, head girls basketball coach and longtime faculty member at Nobles and Greenough School, a top-tier prep school in Boston. With 25 years of coaching and mentoring under his belt, Coach Gallagher shares real-world insights for parents, players, and coaches navigating the prep school basketball journey. Y…

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Hanno Möttölä: NBA Pioneer & International Coach on What It Takes to Go Pro 1:20:34

4M ago1:20:34

1:20:34

This week, Cory sits down with Hanno Möttölä—Finland’s first NBA player, University of Utah Hall of Famer, and current assistant coach for the Finnish national team. Hanno’s journey spans from dominating youth basketball in Europe to starring for Utah in the NCAA championship game, breaking into the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, and later shaping Eur…

1
Daniel Poneman: Top NIL Agent on Recruitment & Player Fit Episode 47:02

5M ago47:02

47:02

Daniel Poneman, one of the most influential agents in college and professional basketball, joins this podcast. Daniel, a Chicago basketball mainstay, got his start as a teenage scout and has since built a reputation as a top NIL and NBA agent, helping hundreds of players navigate the complex journey from high school to college and beyond. In this e…

1
Alex Popp of Winchendon School Talks NEPSAC Basketball, Player Development, and College Recruitment 39:35

5M ago39:35

39:35

Cory welcomes back Coach Alex Popp, one of prep basketball’s most respected voices, now the new head coach at The Winchendon School in Massachusetts. With a background that includes leading Vermont Academy, five years at powerhouse IMG Academy, and a post-grad playing year at Northfield Mount Hermon, Coach Popp brings unmatched perspective on what …

1
Curtis Peery of Massanutten Reveals D1 Recruiting Truths & Navigating Transfer Portal Era 27:30

6M ago27:30

27:30

In this revealing episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, Cory sits down with Curtis Peery, Head Coach of Massanutten Military Academy's post-graduate basketball program. Coach Peery, a former D1 assistant at Maryland Eastern Shore, shares a major program update - Massanutten's basketball players no longer participate in military drills, making it s…

1
Cary Herer of CATS Academy: Exposure & College Pathways 53:22

6M ago53:22

53:22

This week, host Cory Heitz sits down with Cary Herer, Head Coach at CATS Academy Boston and a driving force behind one of NEPSAC AA’s fastest-rising prep basketball programs. Cary brings a unique blend of experience, from playing under John Calipari at UMass to building powerhouse grassroots teams and now leading CATS Academy into the elite NEBL le…

1
Shavar Bernier of Taft School: Finding Your College Fit 53:57

7M ago53:57

53:57

In this compelling episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, Cory sits down with Shavar Bernier, head basketball coach at the prestigious Taft School. Bernier shares his unique journey from being a first-team all-state player in New Hampshire to taking a gap year, attending Bridgton Academy, and eventually finding his way to Connecticut College before…

1
What D1 Programs Really Want: Coach Craig Carter of South Kent School on Basketball IQ & Decision Making 52:47

7M ago52:47

52:47

In this week’s episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, I sit down with Craig Carter, the new head coach at South Kent School who took over for Raphael Chalias last August. Coach Carter shares his journey from the playgrounds of Brooklyn to playing at Rutgers and coaching at the D1 level for both men’s and women’s programs. He offers valuable insight…

1
Preparing Players for the Next Level ft. Jared Grasso of Knox School 37:25

8M ago37:25

37:25

In this insightful episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we sit down with Jared Grasso, head coach at the Knox School on Long Island. Coach Grasso shares his journey from Division I point guard to becoming one of the youngest head coaches at Bryant University, where he tripled their win total in his first year. Now at Knox School, he’s building wh…

1
Inside ESPN’s 30 for 30: Director John Dorsey on Marinovich, SMU, and Documentary Making 39:11

8M ago39:11

39:11

In our latest episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of documentary filmmaking with John Dorsey, the acclaimed director behind ESPN’s 30 for 30 classics “The Marinovich Project” and “Pony Excess.” From his early days at Propaganda Films alongside legendary directors like David Fincher and Spike Jonze to his work on Johnny Cash’s iconic “H…

1
Competition vs. Hard Work in Player Development ft. Coach Brian Fruscio of Canterbury 52:14

9M ago52:14

52:14

In this episode of the Prep Athletics Podcast, we dive deep into the world of prep school basketball with Coach Brian Fruscio of Canterbury School. From his early days growing up in a blue-collar town in upstate New York to building Albany Academy into a powerhouse program and his current role at Canterbury, Coach Fruscio shares invaluable insights…

1
How to Build Complete Student-Athletes ft. Coach Billy Thom of Millbrook School 50:26

9M ago50:26

50:26

Join us as we sit down with Billy Thom, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Millbrook School, for an insightful discussion about prep school basketball, college recruitment, and holistic student development. We explore Billy’s journey from being a student manager during Davidson’s historic Elite Eight run with Steph Curry to building a unique basketball …

1
The College Recruitment Playbook ft. Coach John Zall of Vermont Academy 44:37

10M ago44:37

44:37

Coach John Zall shares his wealth of knowledge on navigating the complex landscape of prep school basketball. From college recruitment strategies to player development philosophies, Coach Zall offers invaluable insights for athletes and families considering the prep school path. Drawing from his experience both in prep school and professional baske…

1
Building Championship Culture at Deerfield with Coach Connor Merrill 34:16

10M ago34:16

34:16

We're excited to bring you our latest episode featuring Connor Merrill, Head Basketball Coach at Deerfield Academy, where we dive deep into the world of prep school basketball and player development. From Coach Merrill's own journey as a post-grad at Vermont Academy to his coaching stops at Springfield College and Middlebury, we explore what makes …

1
2024 Prep School Basketball State of the Union 12:51

11M ago12:51

12:51

In our annual State of the Union episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we take you through our extensive tour of prestigious prep schools across the country, sharing exclusive insights and emerging trends in the prep school basketball landscape. During our journey, which started at IMG Academy in Florida and stretched through New York, Pennsylvani…

1
Building a MAPL League Powerhouse feat. Coach Jon Stone of Hun School 43:02

11M ago43:02

43:02

Join us for an insightful conversation with Coach Jon Stone, who's been leading the Hun School basketball program for 25 years. We dive deep into the Maple League, one of prep basketball's most competitive conferences, and explore how Hun balances elite academics with high-level basketball. Coach Stone shares his journey from playing hockey in Roch…

1
From NBA Stardom to Sobriety: Chris Herren on Overcoming Drugs, Alcohol, and Addiction 27:07

12M ago27:07

27:07

In this powerful episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we sit down with Chris Herren, former NBA player and recovery advocate, to discuss the critical issues of substance abuse and addiction among young athletes. Chris shares his personal journey, offers invaluable advice for parents and players, and provides insights into current trends in youth …

1
College Exposure and Holistic Player Development feat. Coach Cade Lemcke of Blue Ridge School 46:36

1y ago46:36

46:36

In this episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we sit down with Coach Cade Lemcke from Blue Ridge School. Cade dives into his journey from Rochester, New York, to Hargrave Military Academy, where he played alongside future NBA stars, and then on to the University of Virginia. With over a decade at Blue Ridge, Coach Lemcke shares his insights into d…

1
Lehigh Basketball, Perkiomen, & Player Development feat. Coach Harry Morra of Perkiomen 37:42

1y ago37:42

37:42

In this episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we sit down with Coach Harry Morra of Perkiomen School. Coach Morra shares his journey from playing and coaching basketball at various levels, including his extensive experience as an Associate Head Coach at Lehigh University, where he played a key role in recruiting and developing high-level players. …

1
Class A Basketball, Reclass vs Post-Grad, & Academics in Recruiting ft. Coach Max Gordon of St. Paul's 37:12

1y ago37:12

37:12

This episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast features an engaging conversation with Coach Max Gordon from St. Paul’s School. We dive into Coach Gordon’s journey through New England prep schools, his insights into coaching, and what sets St. Paul’s apart. Topics covered include the differences between reclassing and post-grad years, finding the right …

1
Helping Coach South Sudan Basketball at the Paris Olympics feat. Coach Joe Mantegna of Blair Academy 24:51

1y ago24:51

24:51

In this episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we welcome back Joe Mantegna, the head coach of Blair Academy and assistant coach for the South Sudan Men's National Basketball Team. Joe takes us on an incredible journey from the team's humble beginnings in the Afro Basket qualifiers to their historic participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. We dive…

1
Milton Academy, Ivy League Basketball, & Recruiting without Post-Grads feat. Coach Lamar Reddicks of Milton Academy 48:21

1y ago48:21

48:21

In this episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, we sit down with Coach Lamar Reddicks of Milton Academy to explore his unique journey from player to coach, and the incredible impact he's had on prep school basketball. We dive into Lamar's background, from growing up in Milton, Massachusetts, to playing at Bentley University, and eventually coaching …

1
Making It to D1 Before & After The Transfer Portal feat. Rock Battistoni, Head Coach of Loomis Chaffee 46:53

1y ago46:53

46:53

In this episode, we connect with Coach Rock Battistoni of Loomis Chaffee to explore his remarkable journey from prep school athlete to head coach at one of the nation's top prep schools. Rock shares his experiences transitioning from D3 basketball at St. Lawrence to D1 at George Washington University, followed by his professional career in Germany.…

1
⚖️Taking a Holistic Approach to Athlete Development 📈 feat. Head Coach of Choate, Drew Dawson 1:07:41

1y ago1:07:41

1:07:41

This episode, we're joined by Drew Dawson, the Head Coach of Choate Rosemary Hall. Drew shares his journey from central Pennsylvania to playing Division 1 basketball at Lafayette and the University of New Hampshire, and how his experiences as a player shaped his transition into coaching. We dive into the realities of D1 basketball, the complexities…

1
The Making of The Spoils feat. Director Mike Nicoll 58:05

1+ y ago58:05

58:05

▶️Show Notes In this episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast, director Mike Nicoll discusses his new movie, The Spoils, which peels back the layers of corporate influence to paint an honest, foundational portrait of America’s basketball infrastructure. Nicoll shares his love for basketball and how it has been the focal point of his life. He explains …

1
The Changing Basketball Landscape feat. Joe Scott, Head Coach of Air Force 44:41

1+ y ago44:41

44:41

Welcome to another episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast! We’re thrilled to have Joe Scott, head coach of Air Force, join us for an insightful conversation. Joe dives into his extensive coaching journey, the evolution of his strategies, and the profound impact of the Princeton offense on modern basketball. We discuss the unique challenges of recrui…

1
Secrets to Peak Performance with Alan Stein Jr., Speaker, Author, and Performance Coach 54:53

1+ y ago54:53

54:53

Join host Cory Heitz on the PREP Athletics Podcast as he interviews renowned basketball performance coach and motivational speaker, Alan Stein Jr. In this engaging episode, Alan shares his incredible journey from being a college basketball player to becoming a sought-after performance coach for elite athletes. With years of experience working with …

1
Building a Basketball Powerhouse from Scratch feat. Adam Donyes, Founder of Link Year Prep 35:18

1+ y ago35:18

35:18

Welcome to another episode of the PREP Athletics Podcast! This week, we’re thrilled to host Adam Donyes, who shares the story behind founding Link Year Prep, a unique post-graduate program designed to help student-athletes bridge the gap between high school and college. He discusses the importance of developing character and leadership skills along…

1
From Post-Grad to D1, From Player to Coach feat. Terrell Ivory, Head Coach of Andover 52:36

1+ y ago52:36

52:36

Join us as we dive into the incredible journey of Terrell Ivory, the head coach at Phillips Academy Andover. In this episode, Terrell shares his inspiring story, from his post-graduate year at Andover, to playing at Davidson College, to his professional basketball career in England. He also opens up about his coaching experiences at Blair Academy a…

1
What Separates DME Academy From The Rest? feat. Mike Panaggio, Co-founder of DME 57:44

1+ y ago57:44

57:44

Mike Panaggio discusses his experience at prep school, his career in the financial industry, and the founding of DME Academy. He emphasizes the importance of effort, excellence, and sacrifice in achieving success. He also shares his thoughts on the value of college education and the unique aspects of DME Academy, including its focus on character de…

1
There Is No Crystal Ball in Prep School Basketball 7:31

1+ y ago7:31

7:31

In this bonus episode of the Prep Athletics Podcast, Cory Heitz discusses the lack of a crystal ball in prep school basketball and the importance of making the best decision possible. He emphasizes the role of the coach in choosing a prep school and advises families to do their due diligence and research. He also shares his own experience of attend…

1
Prep School Basketball Summit: Strategies and Advice from Leading Coaches 58:38

1+ y ago58:38

58:38

In this episode, Coach Cory is joined by Coach Trey Morin of Phelps School, Coach John Zall of Vermont Academy, and Coach Lamar Reddicks of Milton Academy. They discuss current trends in the prep school world. They highlight the importance of prep school as an option for players, especially with colleges trending older and the need for advocates in…

1
My Trip to The 2024 Final Four 6:52

1+ y ago6:52

6:52

Summary In this bonus episode of the Prep Athletics podcast, Coach Cory recaps his experience at the 2024 Final Four. He flew down to Phoenix to support his cousin Brad Miller, who played for Purdue. He describes the mix of fans from each school, with Purdue, NC State, UConn, and Alabama all showing strong support. Cory shares his experience at a p…

1
From Prep School Admissions to College Placement feat. Joe Busacca, Head Coach of Hotchkiss School 38:52

1+ y ago38:52

38:52

Summary In this episode of the Prep Athletics Podcast, host Cory Heitz interviews Joe Busacca, the head coach of Hotchkiss School. They discuss the unique aspects of Hotchkiss as a high academic prep school, including its location, boarding program, and extensive facilities. Busacca emphasizes the importance of building personal connections with hi…

1
NIL Deals: How the Landscape is Changing feat. Tom Bower of Athlete Advantage 55:51

1+ y ago55:51

55:51

In this conversation with Tom Bower, President of Athlete Advantage, we cover the changes in the NIL landscape, including mistakes and risks, finding an attorney for deals, donor fatigue, the employee model for college athletes, and NIL in the Ivy League. On top of that, we discuss hiring an agent for NIL deals, capitalizing on marketability, creat…

1
Training Kobe and Other NBA Legends feat. Former Lakers Head Strength Coach Dr. Tim DiFrancesco 46:41

1+ y ago46:41

46:41

Summary In this conversation, Tim DiFrancesco, former head strength coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, shares insights and experiences from his time in the NBA. He talks about working with Kobe, Pau, Steve Nash, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and other NBA legends. He emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset and open-mindedness in achieving success. T…

1
From Prep School to Division I with Hollman Smith 20:49

1+ y ago20:49

20:49

Description: In this podcast episode, Cory interviews Hollman, a former prep school basketball player who is now a walk-on at James Madison University. They discuss Hollman's decision to do a post-graduate year, his experience at Tilton School, the benefits and challenges of prep school basketball, dealing with homesickness, and how prep school pre…

1
Legendary Oak Hill Coach Steve Smith Talks National Championships, Building a Powerhouse + Coach Pros Such as Durant and Carmelo 59:33

1+ y ago59:33

59:33

Summary Former Oak Hill Academy coach, Steve Smith, discusses his experiences coaching NBA players, the importance of work ethic and desire, the impact of specialization in sports, changes in the game, recruiting and placing players, and the opportunities he had as a college coach. He also discusses his career decisions, coaching against LeBron Jam…

1
The Differences Between Boys and Girls in Prep School Basketball w/ Coach Thomas Adams-Wall 32:37

2y ago32:37

32:37

Summary In this episode of the Prep Athletics Podcast, host Cory Heitz interviews Coach Thomas Adams-Wall from Western Reserve Academy. They discuss various topics, including growing up on a prep school campus, the benefits of playing multiple sports, choosing the College of Wooster, coaching at Western Reserve Academy, recruiting and college expos…

1
Prep School Winter State of the Union 16:29

2y ago16:29

16:29

🔗 Connect with Cory: Website | https://www.prepathletics.com Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics Email | [email protected] Phone | 859-317-1166 🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast: iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p…

1
Find Out How Former College Coach Steve Schafer Places Basketball Players in College Programs 56:29

2y ago56:29

56:29

On this podcast episode we are excited to have former college coach Steve Schafer join us. He currently works for College Athlete Advantage which is a company that helps athletes with college placement. In this conversation Steve breaks down the differences between D2, D3 and NAIA, the challenges in placement in 2023, how his company’s placement pr…

1
Oprah Recommend Author + Former Irish Hooper Níall Ó Murchú Talks Breathing + The Cold 53:23

2y ago53:23

53:23

This week we welcome author Níall Ó Murchú. Níall and I connected in Poland in early 2020 at the Wim Hof retreat in Southern Poland. Níall was my group leader and he spent the week teaching us the power of breath and how you incorporate it with the cold. Níall and I are both former hoopers who have wives named Josie! In this conversation we discuss…

1
Cory's Basketball Pre-Game Music from 8th Grade to Senior Year of College (EXPLICIT LANGUAGE) 18:09

2y ago18:09

18:09

In this mini episode I share my pre-game songs from 8th grade all the way to my senior year at the United States Air Force Academy. Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1AwdczK0cSXqpdiMNxDMeY?si=917a1d99688249bb 🔗 Connect with Cory: Website | https://www.prepathletics.com Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics Instagram | https…