The PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast

Cory Heitz

Sports

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/13d. Total Eps: 159

PREP Athletics is a company that helps basketball players find the right fitting prep schools to help them meet their goals. This podcast features PREP Athletics founder Cory Heitz's valuable expertise and vast connections to share insights and stories about the past, present, and future of prep school basketball. It also features in depth interviews with prep school basketball coaches from all competitive levels. Cory is a prep school alum, former D1 player, and Air Force veteran. Learn more about how PREP Athletics can help you by visiting www.prepathletics.com, and be sure to sign up for the newsletter.

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https://www.prepathletics.com
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https://www.prepathletics.com%20
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https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M2YwZTZkMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw%C2%A0
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https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
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https://twitter.com/coachdavetaylor
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https://twitter.com/CoachChills
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https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
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https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics%20
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https://www.facebook.com/seth.eilberg
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Score global : 57%

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Dwayne Pina St. George’s Coach on AA Prep Hoops

Season 1 · Episode 128

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 • Duration 42:23

St. George’s head coach and admissions officer Dwayne Pina joins Cory to walk through one of the most complete prep school basketball journeys you will ever hear.

Coach Pina shares exactly what he looks for in recruits, how he developed Tyler Kolek into an NBA guard, what changed when St. George’s moved from Class B to NEPSAC AA, and why physical tools now separate many Division I guards from the pack. If you are weighing AA vs single-A vs public school and care about both college placement and life after hoops, this conversation is a must-listen.

💡Key Topics:

📌 Boston College walk-on to scholarship guard and how that shapes his advice to under-recruited players
📌 Coaching under Max Good, learning accountability, and five-second decision making
📌 Ivy League basketball reality vs perception and aligning recruiting expectations with the market
📌 St. George’s School identity: small ISL boarding school, ocean-side campus, elite signature programs, and wellness resources
📌 Player development system: strength and conditioning, pool work, skill trainers, captain’s runs, and mandated shooting volume
📌 Recruiting profile at St. George’s: high-character underclassmen, impact juniors like Tyler Kolek, and no post-grads
📌 NEPSAC AA transition, schedule difficulty, and what it takes to be a Division I guard in today’s game
📌 Admissions process, inquiry importance, and how families should approach prep applications

🏀 About Dwayne Pina:

Dwayne Pina is the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach and an Admissions Officer at St. George’s School in Rhode Island. A New Bedford native, he played at Boston College, starting as a walk-on before earning a scholarship, then coached at Rhode Island College, Bryant under Max Good, and Brown University. He now leads St. George’s in the NEPSAC AA ranks, developing high-academic, college-bound players and guiding families through the prep school and recruiting process.

🔗 Connect with Dwayne Pina:

🔗 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 | coryheitz@gmail.com
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

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Nemo Maric: How Hoosac Prepares Players for College Hoops

Season 1 · Episode 127

Thursday, November 27, 2025 • Duration 36:12

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-sport participation helps athletes’ decision-making and body awareness, how ISA–Hoosac runs open gyms that draw 100+ college programs, and why honest, low-turnover guards who kick out on paint touches translate fastest to college.

You’ll also hear candid guidance on playing time (earn it), parent communication (player-led first), college placement across D1/D2/D3/JUCO, and the real benefits of NEPSAC AAA competition for exposure and growth. Maric closes with a forward look at NIL-era pipelines, where schools may formalize multi-level systems from prep to college.

Families mapping the prep-to-college pathway: this episode delivers clear, practical next steps—no hype, just what actually works.

💡 Key Topics

📌 Euro–U.S. blend for player development (spacing, reads + individual creativity)
📌 Global roster model at ISA–Hoosac and daily training environment
📌 College placement: open gyms, showcases, relationships, agencies
📌 NEPSAC AAA benefits: elite coaching, exposure, consistency
📌 D1 guard standards: low turnovers, decision-making, defense, kick-outs
📌 Multi-sport advantage: movement literacy, mental health, long-term upside

🏀 About Nemo (Nemanja) Maric

Head Coach, Hoosac School / ISA (AAA). Serbian-born, 13-year European pro, and architect of a Euro-style development system inside a U.S. prep framework. Maric’s teams emphasize spacing, reads, discipline, and skill—while preparing international and domestic athletes for college basketball.

🔗 Connect with Nemo Maric

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

Season 1 · Episode 118

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • Duration 01:04:13

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.

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 need to prioritize when selecting a prep school. He also reveals the hard truths about college placement—including the “D1 or bust” mindset—and explains why culture trumps hype in building lasting success.

Plus, you’ll learn about Shooting Touch, an inspiring nonprofit transforming lives through basketball in both Rwanda and Boston.

This is a must-listen for anyone serious about basketball development, education, and making the right long-term choices.

🎧 Subscribe and hear what really matters in the prep-to-college basketball pipeline.

💡 KEY TOPICS

📌 Coaching with purpose and building a culture of love, care, and service
📌 How prep schools like Nobles handle D1-or-bust mentalities
📌 The impact of the transfer portal and NIL on high school recruitment
📌 Why fit and happiness matter more than basketball hype
📌 A closer look at the 5-day boarding model at Nobles
📌 How Shooting Touch transforms lives through global basketball outreach

🏀 ABOUT COACH ALEX GALLAGHER

Alex Gallagher is the head girls basketball coach at Nobles and Greenough School in Boston, where he’s served for over 25 years as a teacher, coach, and mentor. Known for his integrity, culture-driven leadership, and success on and off the court, Gallagher has developed multiple Gatorade Players of the Year and helped countless athletes find the right collegiate fit. He also serves as a board member for Shooting Touch, a global nonprofit using basketball to impact lives in Rwanda and Boston.

Former Nike Executive Talks Kobe, Lebron and Kevin Durant + Placing His Son in a Prep School

Season 1 · Episode 40

Monday, November 29, 2021 • Duration 56:44

On this PREP Athletics Podcast we welcome former Nike executive and prep school parent to the podcast. Archie McEachern completed a post grad year himself at Maine Central Institute before playing and becoming a 2 year captain at Ithaca College. He then worked his way up the corporate ladder at Nike to at one point being in charge of Global Basketball. Archie was in charge of footwear for Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kevin Durant and more. He also shares his insight on helping his own son choose the right prep school. This was a great interview! Get behind the scenes on Kobe designing his shoe and more.

What You Will Learn:
[2:18] How Archie found out about post grad and attending Maine Central Institute.
[5:44] Playing at Ithaca College.
[6:30] At what point as a parent did you start to discuss prep school options with his son?
[8:30] Archie's starting point on choosing prep schools for his son.
[20:30] What advice Archie gives parents and players?
[33:34] First job in the shoe industry.
[35:32] Role within Nike and working with Lebron James and Kobe.
[37:59] Behind the scenes working with Kobe Bryant on the Mamba shoe design.
[40:54] Professionalism of athletes.
[43:06] Sacrifices professional athletes make.
[46:00] Name image and likeness deals for college players
[53:03] Best player ever played against.
[53:32] Biggest win of basketball career?
[54:26] Hobbies
[55:02] Favorite Movie

Connect w/ Archie
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/archiemceachern/
Twitter | https://twitter.com/amceac
Website | https://www.play360hoops.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/archie.mceachern/ Connect with Cory: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Email | coryheitz@gmail.com Phone | 859-317-1166 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon | Google Podcasts | About Me Cory Heitz is the Founder and President of . He has been helping place players into the right fitting prep schools since 2008. Cory completed a post grad year himself before playing in a D1 basketball program, so he knows the pressures that players and families face when trying to get to the collegiate level. That’s why he started this podcast, which is to share his wealth of information to those looking to reach their college basketball goals.

Top 5 Most Important Questions to Ask Prep School Basketball Coaches

Season 1 · Episode 39

Monday, November 15, 2021 • Duration 10:04

In this short podcast we go over the most popular article from the PREP Athletics website: The Top 5 Most Important Questions to Ask Prep School Basketball Coaches. Here they are: 1) How much is this going to cost?
2) What is your strategy on getting a player exposure to college coaches?
3) How can you meet a player's academic goals?
4) What is the culture of the school?
5) How will you develop a player's skills?

You can read the full article here: https://prepathletics.com/top-5-questions-you-should-ask-prep-school-coaches/

Connect with Cory:
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep_athletics/
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
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
Stitcher | https://www.stitcher.com/show/prep-athletics-podcast
Google Podcasts | https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M2YwZTZkMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw About Me: Cory Heitz is the Founder and President of . He has been helping place players into the right fitting prep schools since 2008. Cory completed a post grad year himself before playing in a D1 basketball program, so he knows the pressures that players and families face when trying to get to the collegiate level. That’s why he started this podcast, which is to share his wealth of information to those looking to reach their college basketball goals.

Former NBA Head Strength Coach Who Also Trained Kevin Durant in HS - feat. Coach Blair O'Donovan

Season 1 · Episode 38

Monday, November 1, 2021 • Duration 01:05:22

On this week’s episode I had the pleasure to interview former NBA strength and conditioning coach, Blair O’Donovan. Blair has worked in the NHL, NFL, NBA, as well as for the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonalds All American Game. Blair and I coached together at Gonzaga College High School in Washington DC under Gatorade National Coach of the Year, Steve Turner. In this podcast Blair talks about being Kevin Durant’s strength coach in high school, the other future NBA players on the Montrose Christian team, characteristics of an NBA player, the importance of nutrition/sleep, and the exercises he recommends to young athletes. Blair is one of the best in the business and you will learn a lot of valuable information in this episode.

What You Will Learn:
[4:00] When Blair decided to get into the strength and conditioning industry.
[9:00] How strength coaches can make an impact.
[10:10] Kevin Durant’s work ethic and how that got him to where he is today.
[15:43 ] What attributes got Kevin Durant to the NBA?
[19:54] What qualities do the NBA players Blair works with possess?
[24:59] Benefits and challenges working as the head strength coach with the Washington Wizards.
[27:57] Three best lifts for basketball players.
[30:54] Mistakes athletes make in the weight room.
[32:24] Do players need a weight room, trainer and/or specific equipment to get where they need to be?
[35:05] Nutrition and sleep tips
[41:42] Best convenience store options for players on the run.
[46:33] What did Blair do 10 years ago that he no longer does?
[50:03] What do other countries do better in strength and conditioning than the USA, and what do they not do as well?
[53:01] Favorite/least favorite workout/lift?
[57:04] Best player ever played against?
[58:45] Hobbies
[1:01:13] Favorite Movie

Connect with Blair
Twitter | https://twitter.com/HealthyBaller
Website | https://www.healthyballer.com/
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_5tYaJKsWZ4UKulTp9GYFwInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/healthy_baller/

The Beginner's Guide to D3 Basketball feat. D3 Direct's Karl Barkley

Season 1 · Episode 37

Monday, October 18, 2021 • Duration 58:01

On this episode we welcome Karl Barkley of D3Direct. Karl played at Swarthmore College and now helps educate athletes on everything D3. In this episode we discuss the talent at the D3 level, going pro, the benefits, and talk all about financial aid. This was a very informative episode which is a must listen to those who don’t know much about the D3 option.

What You Will Learn:
[0:41] Overview of episode
[2:17] Information about D3Direct and why it started.
[3:05] Karl wishes there was a D3Direct around when he was looking at colleges
[3:40] How Karl helps current D3 athletes.
[4:59] Misconceptions about D3 basketball.
[6:16] Why coaches start recruiting later at D3.
[8:20] Myth Buster: D3 players don’t go pro.
[10:21] What has led to more D3 players going pro?
[16:12] Duncan Robinson and other D3 players who have gone pro.
[17:52] Myth Buster - D3 teams cannot beat D1 teams.
[21:21] Myth Buster - D3 athletes are not athletic.
[22:50] Myth Buster- D3 schools do not have fans.
[25:42] Do D3 schools offer scholarships?
[27:44] Do basketball teams have merit money they can give out?
[29:15] Why would a school give a player a full ride?
[36:15] Expanding beyond your sport.
[39:19] What is FAFSA?
[44:22] How schools determine the size of the merit pool?
[48:58] What information would you have liked to know as a high school senior before going D3?
[51:09] Biggest win of basketball career?
[51:50] Best player ever played against?
[53:48] Hobbies
[55:36] Favorite Movie

Connect with Karl
Twitter | https://twitter.com/D3Direct
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AVJh6vAhsnW7OLPVAOlCw
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/d3direct/?hl=en

Walking On D1, Winning a Prep School Championship, Coaching NBA Players + More feat. IMG's Alex Popp

Season 1 · Episode 36

Monday, October 4, 2021 • Duration 01:20:40

On this episode we welcome Coach Alex Popp of IMG Academy to the podcast. Alex has played D1 and D2, coached at the D1, D3, G-League, Nike EYBL and prep school level and is now working at IMG Academy to make their basketball program one of the best in the world. In this episode we talk about Alex completing a post grad year at Northfield Mount Hermon, being a walk on at a Big Ten school, finding the right fit for college, coaching Top 100/future NBA players, what guards need to do to succeed, the NIL situation, and much more. Alex came to IMG Academy from NEPSAC AAA prep school Vermont Academy and shares the his thoughts after being away from the New England game for a year. This is a great episode with a lot of knowledge shared.

What You Will Learn:
[2:53] How has coaching and/or playing at different levels helped you get to where you are now?
[5:10] Benefits of New England prep school world and its challenges.
[9:30 ] IMG’s pitch to a high major player.
[14:55] Academic team offerings.
[18:47] What made Alex decide to do a post grad year?
[21:12] Why did you decide to be a walk on at the Univ of Minnesota?
[33:48] What does a guard have to do to get to the next level?
[36:21] What can one do to improve as a guard?
[47:34] What was it like coaching NBA players and what did they posses that got them into
the league?
[50:30] Can a player develop a motor?
[1:09:42] Best player ever coached against?
[1:11:13] Top books

How Does the PREP Athletics Process of Finding the Right Fitting Prep School Work?

Season 1 · Episode 35

Monday, September 20, 2021 • Duration 12:26

In this mini episode, PREP Athletics Founder, Cory Heitz explains how the PREP Athletics process of finding a right fitting prep school works. This process includes:
1) Committing to help a player
2) Player has to make their own recruiting website
3) Reaching out to the right fitting prep school's coaches on the player's behalf
4) Have players/family ready to talk to interested coaches by creating a recruiting notebook w/ important questions to ask
5) After players talk to coaches I will talk to them about the characteristics of each school and coach
6) If feasible set up visits with schools a player wants to learn more about
7) After visiting and finalizing schools, start the application process
8) Choosing a school.

Connect with Cory:
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep_athletics/
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@prepathletics?lang=en
Email | coryheitz@gmail.com
Phone | 859-317-1166

Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJAmazon | Google Podcasts | About MeCory Heitz is the Founder and President of PREP Athletics. He has been helping place players into the right fitting prep schools since 2008. Cory completed a post grad year himself before playing in a D1 basketball program, so he knows the pressures that players and families face when trying to get to the collegiate level. That’s why he started this podcast, which is to share his wealth of information to those looking to reach their college basketball goals.

National Championship Winning Prep School Coach Talks Program Building + 7 Footers feat Tom Espinoza

Season 1 · Episode 34

Monday, September 6, 2021 • Duration 51:53

Tom Espinoza is the head prep boys basketball coach at Putnam Science Academy. Tom won National Prep School Championships in 2018 and 2020. He has coached dozens of D1 players to include NBA player Hamadou Diallo. In this conversation we talk about starting a prep school program from scratch, what its like to coach a Top 100 player, his second team, the importance of the open gym recruiting period, coaching multiple 7 footers and more.

What You Will Learn:
[1:17] Information about Putnam Science Academy.
[3:30] Why did you want to start the program from scratch at Putnam?
[7:43] How did Tom get his early recruits?
[9:58] What characteristics do your players need to have?
[11:55] Advantages/ disadvantages of being on the second team?
[15:28] How does Tom place players from the second team?
[16:28] How important is the open gym period for prep school players?
[21:30] Do you have a recruiting plan with players who have committed to your program?
[23:46] Discussing NIL (Name Image and Likeness) options with players where they have the
potential to get more money playing at a certain college.
[28:30] Benefits and challenges of coaching Top 100 players.
[30:58] What did Hamadou Diallo possess that made him a NBA player?
[32:49] How having an NBA player from school has helped.
[34:25] Changes in coaching style due to Covid.
[38:13] Thoughts on NCAA transfer rule.
[39:45] Biggest surprise as a player?
[44:17] Coaching multiple 7 ft players.
[47:56] Biggest win of career?
[49:17] Best player coached against?
[50:11] Hobbies
[50:26] Favorite Movie

Connect with Tom:
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PSAhoops
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PutnamScienceAcademyNews
Website | https://www.putnamscienceacademy.org/mens-basketball38c82d48Instagram |

The PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The PREP Athletics Basketball Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

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