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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 conversation, we cover the real traits coaches look for in Division 1 guards, how Tilton balances academic rigor with elite development, and why player identity and off-court character matter more than ever. Coach O’Neil also discusses his return to Tilton, how he develops talent the right way, and what parents need to understand before making the prep school leap.
If you're a player or parent navigating this journey, you’ll find practical, honest advice here that cuts through the recruiting hype.
💡 KEY TOPICS
📌 Coaching NBA talent and what separates future pros
📌 Academic standards and expectations for post-grads
📌 How Tilton develops players on and off the court
📌 Understanding playing time + how it’s earned
📌 The evolving D1 recruiting timeline in 2025
📌 Tilton vs. AAA and other prep school levels
🏀 ABOUT COACH MARCUS O’NEIL
Marcus O’Neil is the head boys’ basketball coach at Tilton School in New Hampshire. A prep school veteran with over 15 years at Tilton, O’Neil led the program to a national championship and coached several future NBA players. His unique background in social work and philosophy shapes a thoughtful, holistic approach to player development and mentorship.
🔗 CONNECT WITH COACH MARCUS O’NEIL:
Facebook | www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057439360417#
Instagram | www.instagram.com/tiltonboysbasketball/
🔗 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/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic
Chapters
1. Marcus O’Neil: Why Most Kids Miss D1 Dreams (00:00:00)
2. Growing up in Portsmouth, NH and playing at Seacrest Rack (00:01:54)
3. Choosing Brandeis because of the Celtics (00:03:10)
4. Playing pickup with nine Celtics as a college student (00:04:02)
5. Post-college journey: cross-country road trip, coaching start (00:05:05)
6. How life and philosophy shaped his coaching (00:09:01)
7. The role of philosophy & social work in his coaching (00:10:01)
8. Why Tilton School stands out as a prep program (00:12:04)
9. Coaching NBA players: common traits of future pros (00:17:12)
10. Player development philosophy: culture, consistency, identity (00:20:09)
11. Academic requirements for post-grads at Tilton (00:22:48)
12. Do Tilton players need to play multiple sports? (00:24:23)
13. How Coach O’Neil answers playing time questions (00:25:35)
14. Holman Smith story: from third string to D1 starter (00:27:20)
15. Getting college footage and recruiting exposure for all players (00:29:27)
16. How placement works in 2025’s recruiting landscape (00:32:03)
17. Why families need realistic goals and backup plans (00:35:17)
18. Does class level (AA, AAA, A) really matter? (00:37:31)
19. Why Coach O’Neil values AA structure and regulation (00:38:51)
20. What kind of players Tilton looks for (00:41:22)
21. What it takes to be a D1 guard today (00:43:24)
22. What prep school basketball might look like in 5 years (00:44:53)
23. Best player Marcus ever played against (00:46:44)
24. Best player he’s ever coached against (00:47:58)
25. Facing Buddy Hield and Andrew Wiggins (00:49:35)
26. Tilton School rivalries and tough matchups (00:51:19)
27. Final thoughts and where to find Coach O’Neil (00:55:21)
137 episodes
