PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

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PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Cory Heitz

139 episodes

13 hours ago

Nemo (Nemanja) Maric, head coach at Hoosac School / ISA (AAA), joins Cory to unpack a true Euro–U.S. hybrid approach to prep school basketball development. Maric shares his journey from Serbia and a 13-year pro career to building a multinational roster under one roof—where 20+ countries train, lift, and study within a system that blends European team concepts (spacing, reads, ball movement) with American individual creativity (one-on-one scoring, athletic standards). He explains why multi-spo...

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Nemo (Nemanja) Maric, head coach at Hoosac School / ISA (AAA), joins Cory to unpack a true Euro–U.S. hybrid approach to prep school basketball development. Maric shares his journey from Serbia and a 13-year pro career to building a multinational roster under one roof—where 20+ countries train, lift, and study within a system that blends European team concepts (spacing, reads, ball movement) with American individual creativity (one-on-one scoring, athletic standards). He explains why multi-spo...

Show more...

Episodes (20/139)

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Nemo Maric: How Hoosac Prepares Players for College Hoops

Nemo (Nemanja) Maric, head coach at Hoosac School / ISA (AAA), joins Cory to unpack a true Euro–U.S. hybrid approach to prep school basketball development. Maric shares his journey from Serbia and a 13-year pro career to building a multinational roster under one roof—where 20+ countries train, lift, and study within a system that blends European team concepts (spacing, reads, ball movement) with American individual creativity (one-on-one scoring, athletic standards). He explains why multi-spo...

15 hours ago

36 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Kenya Jones: Class B, Big Results—Brooks School’s Blueprint

Kenya Jones, Head Coach and Associate Director of Admissions at Brooks School (MA), joins Cory for a straight, practical talk about prep school basketball, player development, and college placement in today’s NIL/transfer-portal era. Jones explains why Brooks is “a school that happens to be good at basketball,” and how a culture of multi-sport participation, arts, and academics creates tougher, smarter, more coachable athletes. He details what he really recruits—character, independence, and f...

2 weeks ago

34 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Ben Veshi: How Hargrave Builds College-Ready Guards

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-game schedule prepare athletes for college intensity. He breaks down today’s recruiting reality—why the summer evaluation period and a program’s r...

1 month ago

50 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Sean Crocker: Mercersburg Coach on D1 Guards

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, “500 threes on Saturdays,” fall strength and conditioning three to four days a week, and film-driven footwork (“the eye in the sky doesn’t lie”). H...

1 month ago

38 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

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

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 teammates better—and why the Ivy League is real Division I basketball. She explains the prep vs AAU recruiting dynamic, the difference between off...

1 month ago

1 hour 6 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Steve Turner: A New Era At Montverde Academy

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 talents. He gives families straight talk on NIL (what to learn before signing anything), whether high school stars really need agents, and how the tra...

2 months ago

58 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

George White RecruitU Founder on College Recruiting Truths

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 on finding the right fit for their student-athletes. He shares why hope is not a strategy in recruiting, how families should approach early commit...

3 months ago

55 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Marcus O’Neil: Why Most Kids Miss D1 Dreams

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 ...

3 months ago

57 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Dan McHale: D1 Coach Reveals Recruiting Realities

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 Mountain West, Dan’s career is packed with insider knowledge. In this episode, Dan shares what really matters when trying to land a D1 scholarship...

4 months ago

40 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

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

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. You’ll hear his direct take on how youth sports culture has shifted, why love and accountability are cornerstones of his program, and what families ...

4 months ago

1 hour 4 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

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

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 European and Finnish basketball as a coach. In this episode, Hanno delivers practical, no-nonsense advice for families navigating the prep school and ...

5 months ago

1 hour 20 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

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

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 episode, Daniel shares his unique perspective on player development, the shifting landscape of prep school basketball, and the realities of college ...

5 months ago

47 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Alex Popp of Winchendon School Talks NEPSAC Basketball, Player Development, and College Recruitment

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 it takes for players to thrive in the NEPSAC and beyond. In this candid conversation, Alex breaks down the real factors families must weigh: Should...

6 months ago

39 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Curtis Peery of Massanutten Reveals D1 Recruiting Truths & Navigating Transfer Portal Era

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 significantly more appealing to recruits. Peery provides an insider's look at what Division I coaches actually discuss in recruiting rooms, emphasiz...

6 months ago

27 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Cary Herer of CATS Academy: Exposure & College Pathways

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 league. In this candid conversation, Cary breaks down what truly sets CATS apart: relentless player development, unmatched college exposure, and a no...

7 months ago

53 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Shavar Bernier of Taft School: Finding Your College Fit

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 becoming a successful prep school coach. With remarkable candor, Bernier discusses his coaching philosophy centered on hard work, grit, and love f...

7 months ago

53 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

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

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 insights on basketball development, the recruiting landscape in today’s environment, and how he’s transforming the South Kent program with his “Trust and ...

8 months ago

52 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Preparing Players for the Next Level ft. Jared Grasso of Knox School

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 what promises to be a national powerhouse program, already boasting a 31-5 record in just his first year. We dive deep into Jared’s innovative recrui...

8 months ago

37 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

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

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 “Hurt” music video, John shares incredible stories from his remarkable career. We explore the delicate art of documentary storytelling, discussing ho...

9 months ago

39 minutes

PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Competition vs. Hard Work in Player Development ft. Coach Brian Fruscio of Canterbury

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 on player development, college recruitment, and the evolving landscape of prep school basketball. He discusses the importance of competing versus ...

9 months ago

52 minutes