Coach Whit Lesure was the very first guest Cory ever welcomed to the PREP Athletics Podcast — and long before that, he was one of the most influential voices in the prep school basketball world. This re-release is not about trends or tactics. It’s about remembering the coach, mentor, and standard-setter that Whit was.

Whit spent decades shaping young men at places like Bridgton Academy and New Hampton, not by selling dreams, but by demanding accountability, toughness, and honesty. He believed the post-graduate year was not a shortcut, but a proving ground — a place where maturity, discipline, and love for the game mattered more than hype or rankings. In this conversation, Whit speaks openly about recruiting families, recognizing red flags, teaching resilience, and why “fit” always beats flash.

For parents, players, and coaches navigating the prep-to-college pathway, this episode captures the values that still matter — even as the game changes. Whit Lesure’s impact lives on in the players he shaped, the coaches he influenced, and the standard he set for what prep school basketball should be.

💡 Key Topics

📌 Post-graduate year philosophy and long-term development
📌 Recruiting the family, not just the player
📌 Toughness, accountability, and love for the game
📌 Prep school basketball before rankings and hype
📌 College placement reality across all levels
📌 Coaching standards that transcend eras

🏀 About Whit Lesure

Whit Lesure was a respected prep school basketball coach whose influence extended far beyond wins and losses. Known for his honesty, discipline, and commitment to player development, Whit helped generations of young men grow through the post-graduate year and into college basketball and life beyond the game.

🔗 Connect with Bridgton Academy:

Instagram | www.instagram.com/bridgtonacademybasketball/

🔗 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

When: April 4th, 9AM-12PM
Where: UNRNKD Hoops (6331 Crawfordsville Road Indianapolis, IN 46224)
Who: HS athletes from 9-12 grade, INCLUDING unsigned Seniors
What: D1 College Workout HOSTED BY D1 Coaches D2/D3 Coaches in Attendance

Dan McHale is back for a short, straight-to-the-point bonus episode, and we’re talking about what families actually care about right now: exposure, timing, and how recruiting really works in 2026. Dan is a former Division I head coach and longtime D1 assistant, and he breaks down why the old “just wait, it’ll come” advice is getting kids left behind. We also get into the CRC Final Four Showcase in Indianapolis, built to put players directly in front of college coaches during Final Four weekend, plus give parents a real education on what rosters look like in the transfer portal era. Dan explains draft boards, why coaches share information, and why being proactive matters more than ever for 2026, 2027, and 2028 prospects. If you’re a parent hoping a state title run will magically create offers, or a player trying to figure out the right next step, this is your reset. No hype, just the current market and what to do about it.

💡Key Topics:
📌 Final Four basketball exposure event for recruiting and college placement
📌 Transfer portal era recruiting: why offers are slower for high school players
📌 Draft boards, roster fluidity, and how coaches evaluate prospects
📌 Parent education: realistic pathways D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and development steps
📌 Proactive outreach: email, social media, advocates, and credibility signals
📌 Coach-to-coach networks and why relationships drive opportunities

🏀 About Dan McHale:
Dan McHale is a former Division I head coach and longtime D1 assistant coach who now helps families navigate college basketball placement and the modern recruiting landscape. He brings a coach’s view of roster needs, evaluation, and how offers actually happen in today’s transfer portal environment.

🔗 Connect with Dan McHale:

Twitter | https://x.com/CoachMcHale
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dmchale01/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mchale_basketball_academy
Website | https://www.crcathlete.com/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/collegiate_recruiting/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/prof

🔗 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

Coach Kurt Steiner is the head coach at The MacDuffie School, where he is building a legitimate NEPSAC AA program the right way. In this episode, Kurt breaks down how The MacDuffie School develops players day to day, why the 5:30 AM gym slot reveals everything about work habits, and how measurable testing drives accountability. He explains how The MacDuffie School’s open gyms, structure, and culture help college coaches evaluate players honestly, and why placement today is about fit, timing, and trust rather than labels.

💡Key Topics:
📌 NEPSAC AA basketball development model and daily gym culture
📌 5:30 AM skill work, strength training, and measurable progress testing
📌 Open gyms for college coach evaluation plus film that carries weight
📌 College placement strategy in the transfer portal era and spring recruiting
📌 D1 vs D2 vs D3 fit, where you are wanted, and long term outcomes
📌 What coaches look for: work habits, defense communication, academics, character

🏀 About Coach Kurt Steiner

Coach Kurt Steiner is the head basketball coach at The MacDuffie School, where he has built a NEPSAC AA program centered on daily habits, measurable development, and honest college placement. His background in grassroots and AAU basketball shapes The MacDuffie School’s player-first approach.

🔗 Connect with Coach Kurt Steiner

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_coachkurt_/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/macduffiehoops/
Twitter | https://x.com/MacduffieHoops
Website | https://macduffie.org/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-steiner-a777b1b2/

🔗 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

This episode is Cory Heitz’s 2025 Prep School Basketball State of the Union, recorded after a December New England trip packed with campus visits, coach meetings, and real conversations about what’s changing right now in prep school basketball. Cory also opens with a heartfelt tribute to Whit Lesure, a true prep school legend whose impact on Bridgton Academy and college placement can’t be overstated. From there, Cory gets practical. Why college placement is taking longer, what the transfer portal changed, and why families need to stop expecting old timelines. He talks NIL resources some prep programs are offering, the real truth about playing time, and how to communicate when things aren’t clear. He also shares key updates on girls prep opportunities, visa pressure for international families, rolling admissions advantages, and why NEPSAC rules feel outdated in today’s prep basketball landscape. If you’re a parent trying to choose the right prep fit, a player navigating exposure and development, or a coach advising a family, this is a straight, useful listen.

💡Key Topics:
📌 Prep school basketball state of the union 2025 and what changed since last year
📌 College basketball recruiting timeline shifts, transfer portal impact, patience in placement
📌 NIL at the prep school level: financial advisors, lawyers, and what families should know
📌 Playing time expectations, communication with coaches, and realistic development pathways
📌 Prep school fit vs location, girls prep opportunities, and student visa constraints
📌 Rolling admissions, March decision timelines, and NEPSAC rule limitations

🏀 About Cory Heitz:
Cory Heitz is the founder of PREP Athletics and has helped basketball families worldwide find the right prep school fit for both development and college placement. He brings a coach’s perspective, a placement-first mindset, and a no-hype approach to navigating the prep-to-college basketball pipeline.

🔗 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

Dr. Jeff Quebec has lived this world from the inside. He has worked in prep school admissions and leadership for decades, spent years at Eaglebrook, and now advises families as an educational consultant. In this episode, Jeff breaks down the stuff parents usually learn too late.

💡Key Topics:
📌 Prep school admissions process, decision timelines, yield strategy
📌 Interview prep, campus visits, first impressions, student driven narrative
📌 Junior boarding school pathway, secondary school counseling, reclass timing
📌 Financial aid strategy, net tuition revenue, committee decision factors
📌 Academics vs brand names, hidden gem schools, right fit selection
📌 Athlete recruiting context, coach turnover, program stability, long term fit

🏀 About Dr. Jeff Quebec:
Dr. Jeff Quebec is a longtime prep school admissions leader and educational consultant with decades in independent schools. He also runs the Pre-Prep Showcase and hosts the Why Boarding School podcast focused on school fit and the boarding school experience.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Jeff Quebec:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/whyboardingschool
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/PrePrepShowcase
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/WhyBoardingSchool
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/preprepshowcase/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/why-boarding-school
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyrquebec/
Twitter | https://x.com/whyboarding
Twitter | https://x.com/PrePrepShowcase
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@whyboardingschool
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@whyboardingschool
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/PrePrepShowcase
Email | info@WhyBoardingSchool.com
Website | https://quebec-consulting.com/
Website | https://preprepshowcase.com/
Website | https://preprepshowcase.com/

🔗 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

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:

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-pina-38a13147/
Website | https://www.stgeorges.edu/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dpina5/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sgboyshoops/
Twitter | https://x.com/dpina5
Twitter | https://x.com/sgboyshoops

🔗 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

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

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/hoosac.bb/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nemanja_maric_coach/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/isa.hoosac/
Twitter | https://x.com/ISAHoosac
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/isa.hoosac/

🔗 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

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 fit—and how self-driven development (open runs, morning gym, weight room cadence) prepares players for NEPSAC competition and college standards.

You’ll hear an honest breakdown of Class B vs AA/AAA schedules, why relationships + summer showcases move the needle more than hype, and exactly what it takes to be a Division I guard (athleticism, vocal leadership, 94-feet defense, rebounding from your position, and credible shooting). If you’re a parent, player, or coach seeking the right pathway—not promises—this episode gives you a clear lens on admissions, placement timing, and building a life-ready student-athlete.

Families starting the prep journey: listen in, take notes, and focus on fit over flash.

💡 Key Topics

• 📌 Holistic development at Brooks (multi-sport, arts, academics → coachability & maturity)
• 📌 Recruiting priorities (character, independence, fit over mixtape hype)
• 📌 Placement in the portal era (relationships, summer showcases, demanding schedule)
• 📌 Class B vs AA/AAA (ISL competition, scheduling up for exposure)
• 📌 D1 guard checklist (athleticism, 94-ft defense, vocal leadership, rebounding, shooting)
• 📌 Admissions & school fit (well-rounded students, balanced academic pressure)

🏀 About Kenya Jones

Kenya Jones is the Head Basketball Coach and Associate Director of Admissions at Brooks School (MA). A Bronx native and longtime Brooks faculty member, he led the program to a NEPSAC Class B title and earned Coach of the Year honors. His philosophy centers on character, independence, and a balanced school experience that turns high school athletes into college-ready student-leaders.

🔗 Connect with Kenya Jones

Twitter | https://x.com/BrooksBasketbal
Twitter | https://x.com/CoachKJones52
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/brooksboysbasketball/

🔗 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