Garvin McAlister: Multi-Sport Athlete Prep & High School Basketball Development

Discover how multi-sport athlete prep can transform your development with Garvin McAlister, head basketball coach at Millbrook School. In this episode of PREP Athletics, Garvin shares his insights on student-athlete development tips, multi-sport training, and preparing high school athletes for success both on and off the court.

We cover:

•  Developing skills across multiple sports 
•  Lessons from college and prep school coaching 
•  Millbrook School’s community and athletic philosophy 
•  Balancing academics and athletics 
•  Preparing for post-grad opportunities 

⏰ Timestamps:
 01:29 - Early Life & Basketball Beginnings
 02:07 - Coaching Experience Across Levels
 03:17 - Key Mentorship Lessons
 04:30 - Lessons from College Women’s Basketball
 05:07 - Millbrook School Overview
 06:40 - Athletics & Campus Resources
 10:36 - Multi-Sport Requirement & Athletic Philosophy
 15:36 - Practice & Development Philosophy
 22:35 - Playing Time & Family Communication
 30:33 - D1 Guard Skills & IQ in Basketball
 34:50 - Rapid-Fire / Fun Segment
 37:17 - Closing Thoughts & Appreciation

📌 Key Topics:
 • Multi-sport athlete prep
 • Student-athlete development tips
 • High school athlete development
 • Basketball coaching philosophy
 • Millbrook School athletic program
 • Prep school recruiting strategies

👤 About the Guest:
 Garvin McAlister is the head basketball coach at Millbrook School, with experience coaching high school and college athletes, emphasizing holistic athletic development, multi-sport training, and player growth on and off the court.

🎙️ About PREP Athletics:
 At PREP Athletics, we help young athletes and their families understand the prep school path and how it creates better academic, athletic, and college recruiting opportunities. We provide honest, experience-based guidance on prep schools, post-grad years, reclassing, recruiting, academics, AAU, and NCAA updates to help players find the right fit.

#multi-sportathleteprep #PrepAthletics #HighSchoolBasketball #StudentAthleteDevelopment #BasketballCoaching #GarvinMcAlister #PrepSchoolBasketball

🔗 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

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Transcript

(0:00) Welcome to this week's episode of the prep athletics podcast. I'm glad you joined us today. Thanks for joining us (0:05) We have a good time here.And if you like what you hear, please share this with a friend (0:10) We want to get this out to as many people in the basketball world as possible (0:13) And also be sure you subscribe on our youtube channel and all the major podcasting platforms (0:18) Proud to have millbrook's head coach garvin mccallister on today (0:22) And garvin i've known each other for a couple years got to see him coach (0:26) in january (0:26) Uh up in a snowstorm at millbrook and he has a great background, you know played aau for gino ariema (0:34) Yukon women's coach his best friend is gino's son and he's coached at the high school level the girls collegiate level d2 (0:42) D3 d1 and he's taken all that to help his kids at millbrook (0:45) Um, if you do go to millbrook the fun thing is there they have their own zoo (0:49) The only school in america that has its own zoo and kids can choose to work there or not (0:54) Um, he talks about development college placement they have one team they play about eight to nine guys (0:58) So playing time is usually not an issue there and much much more. So enjoy this conversation with millbrook coach (1:04) Garvin mccallister here in the prep athletics podcast (1:08) Welcome to the prep athletics podcast. This is cory heights (1:13) Some battles i'm i'm not sure if they got us if they did maybe maybe you will get better as a player during that year (1:21) So it was kind of exciting like oh, yeah, somebody wants me (1:31) to (1:31) Garvin welcome to the podcast (1:33) Cory, I appreciate you having me man (1:34) Yeah, it's good to have you here and let's start off by telling me where you grew up and what got you into basketball (1:41) Sure, um grew up in norwich.Connecticut small town, uh, just in between both the casinos in connecticut eastern side (1:48) Um started playing at a young age like like most guys just played everything when I was younger. Um (1:54) Had like long-term goals of playing football didn't grow and then eventually basketball just stuck. Um, and (2:01) I was fortunate to be kind of in a (2:03) in a town and in a city where uh, basketball was like prominent (2:06) There's a lot of hoopers my age and a lot of good coaches.So, um, yeah, it just worked out for me (2:11) Yeah, and then um, you've coached at a lot of levels you've coached at the high school level (2:16) The women's collegiate level d2 d3 d1. Um, that's a lot of experience. What what led you to want to be a coach? (2:24) um to be honest, I played for some really good coaches that were truth tellers right and um, (2:31) one in particular I played for au for gino oriema and he (2:35) We had a high level team (2:37) We had four other guys play d1 and I was like the d2 d3 guy and he like was a straight shooter (2:42) He's like, hey, you're not gonna be a pro.Um, you should start to look into what you want to do long term (2:46) Um, I had a high school coach neil kerlin. That was also just like a mentor to me (2:51) And so I kind of knew once you know things start to slow up after college that (2:56) I wanted to stay in it and I thought I could be a good coach just based on like working camps and stuff (3:01) Um, but you never you know, you don't realize that that is only one side of coaching, right? (3:06) and so there's a lot of like organizational things you have to get better at even conversing right just (3:11) being able to have conversations and um (3:13) And so it's more than just having a feel for your players right and being a players coach (3:17) So that's that's how I got into it (3:19) What did you learn playing for gino (3:22) man, um (3:23) I learned a ton. I would say how to press the right emotional buttons.He's very good at that. Um, he can (3:31) He can get you motivated right? Um, he can tear you down to build your back up pretty well (3:36) But he also like does it (3:38) In a way that you know, he loves you (3:40) Um, and even us we were like, you know, 14 15 16 years old (3:44) Um, and it just shined through that you can be a warm demander and it's still (3:50) You know that love and the positivity is still reflected there (3:52) So I think uh, and he's also himself and I think I was able to say, okay, that's that's him (3:58) That's how he coaches I can take a small piece of that (4:01) And be myself and implement that no matter where I go. So, uh, (4:05) and then just the grind like when I took that first college job, he was (4:09) um somebody that I was (4:10) You know, I was contemplating getting into the college world and he's like if you want to get in get in and don't worry about (4:15) the money and um, so (4:16) just obviously just having him to call if I needed it or (4:19) You know, his son is my best friend.So (4:22) A lot of connections there and i'm very fortunate (4:25) Yeah, that's nice. And then all the levels I just mentioned that you coached at what what did what are some big lessons you took away? (4:32) Um as far as like the differences between all these levels (4:35) Oof, yeah, so, um, I started on the on the girl's side at western connecticut state on the woman's side and (4:41) That was like a crash course in an organization (4:44) Uh coach kim ribzik was like (4:46) She was on it. She planned everything out so thoroughly and at that age for me (4:51) I that was it opened my eyes to like how much (4:54) I had to get better at just the organizational side planning a practice planning multiple practices in a row so that they lead up to (5:01) You know something that we want to accomplish as a team (5:05) And so just that was like the first thing I was like, oh man (5:07) I'm, not I might not be able to do this.Like i'll never be able to do to plan like that. Um, (5:12) and then as (5:14) Obviously, it's your network in the connections that you can make over time (5:18) Um kind of help you get in the door different places (5:20) But I would say like to to anybody that wants to get into college coaching like show up every day (5:25) That's the number one thing is like the times where you want to make an excuse don't um get to that practice (5:30) You know, I took the first job. I was driving an hour and 40 minutes one way just to get to practice (5:34) um, and a lot of people wouldn't do that, right, but I wanted to coach, um, and so (5:41) Sometimes if you got to create an opportunity, right and that was my opportunity I took it and um, so (5:47) Yeah, that was one of the biggest lessons even just going through every (5:51) stage or division that i've been at was um (5:53) Yeah, pour yourself into it and like don't be scared of what happens (5:57) It's going to be a lot of sacrifice going to be a lot of long nights, but pour yourself in and it'll take you pretty far (6:03) Love it now you're at millbrook after all this college experience.You're now at the prep school (6:08) Uh ranks you've been a head coach. Now. This is your first year and now you're entering your second year (6:12) Um, give us your pitch on millbrook as a school and then your basketball program.Sure (6:17) um millbrook as a school, you know as as families look into (6:22) Different boarding schools or prep situation. They're going to notice a lot of similar things across the board, right? (6:27) They're going to notice that there's some really nice campuses, right? Millbrook has a really nice campus (6:31) They're going to notice that the academics there's a certain focus in academics (6:35) And as well as academic support that maybe like public schools just can't offer, right? (6:40) um (6:40) And then you're going to notice the athletic spaces right that the athletics are kind of a step up from most public schools (6:45) And so there's always this how can you differentiate yourself if you're at boarding school and you check those three boxes? (6:52) And so for us at millbrook, I think what we really do well is our intentionality about community and what that actually looks like (6:58) Um, and so it's in everything that we do. It's in our meetings when we meet as faculty (7:02) We bring kids to campus.That's what we want to show them like look at the community (7:07) Um, you know if you go into our theater, there's 330 seats and that's very intentional, right? (7:12) That's one seat for every student that could be enrolled at millbrook. Um, you walk into our cafeteria (7:17) There's a flag for every nationality of a student that's enrolled at millbrook, right? (7:22) And our goal is to we're a smaller school. We're not going to go and enroll a thousand kids, right? (7:28) So our goal is to give those 350 kids (7:31) Give them a situation where they feel known and they feel needed at that school (7:35) and our way of doing that is really (7:38) It starts at the faculty it starts at the top with our head of school john downs (7:42) Like he literally wants to know something about every single kid that's enrolled (7:44) So when he sees them walk in they can stop and have a conversation (7:47) I think if that's what's happening at the top, it just trickles into the faculty it trickles into what we do every day (7:53) And I always say like my favorite events at millbrook are you know, I work in admissions (7:57) We bring families to campus and our kids take it over because I think that's the true reflection of like whether the community's working (8:02) We trust our kids (8:04) When families are picking between different boarding schools (8:06) We want to show our like this is we have nothing to hide like look at us (8:09) So I would say from a from a boarding perspective and a prep perspective (8:14) Um, we are the type we are we're not like a stuffy boarding school.We kind of know who we are in that space (8:20) um (8:21) And we use it to our advantage, you know (8:24) um 330 kids and (8:27) We will know something about you and we will ask we will stop you and show up (8:31) And I just think it's a it's a special place in that regard. Um, you don't get that, you know, even (8:36) Me having coached at different levels, right? (8:38) Some of the highest academic schools i've coached that don't have a feel of community (8:42) that we get at millbrook and I try to express that to our guys and (8:46) um, you know from a basketball perspective, I think (8:49) Because of what we just talked about, you know, just the 10 years of college experience at all three levels (8:55) Um, i've lost that like selfishness about basketball. Um, it's given me a pretty good life (9:01) um, and so now I can pour in to the next stage of what I look like as a basketball coach and to me that's (9:06) Like bringing in great guys and then college placement ultimately and making sure our kids (9:11) um get an opportunity to (9:13) Get you know, we are a smaller school (9:15) So you're going to get a smaller academic field and also put them on a stage where they're playing against larger schools (9:21) um, and also in an academic setting where they can be successful and (9:24) Obviously, we want to win games within that same (9:27) frame of mind, right? (9:29) But we're not sacrificing (9:31) Um certain things to win games, you know, I you know, I think there's a certain way you can do it (9:36) Uh, you can win a lot of games in high school playing two three zone (9:39) or you can win a lot of games in high school pressing the whole time right and so (9:42) Um for me just from from a philosophical perspective, um (9:46) It's college placement man (9:47) it's making sure we're bringing in kids and they can use millbrook as a (9:50) As a pathway to the highest academic school that they can either one (9:54) Play at or two like sit the bench as a freshman on a winning team and then play as a sophomore, right? (9:59) That's always our goal for our guys (10:01) Um, do we get it right every time? No, um, but we try and that's the intentionality behind it (10:06) Yeah, and that's the whole point of prep school is get these guys ready for college matriculation (10:10) And uh, so I love that you also have a zoo on campus, which I find interesting and um (10:16) You're the only prep school at the zoo (10:17) In fact, you've got some endangered species and if anyone ever visits I highly suggest you take a tour (10:21) um, because it's pretty neat so (10:24) The zoo was the zoo was awesome.Uh, yeah, we're the only high school in the country with an aza accredited zoo on its campus (10:30) Um, and honestly it creates some really unique (10:34) community service (10:35) Uh initiatives and um create some really unique science classes and different hands-on (10:40) activities I would say it's can be as much of your experience at millbrook as you want it to be or or (10:45) You know a one-off you go see it and you're good for the rest of your time there, but it is unique (10:50) My kids love it (10:51) Do some do certain students come there just for the zoo like and to work in that program? Okay (10:57) Um, we get you know (10:58) That's the number one thing I hear when i'm interviewing (11:00) Like international students the number one when i'm like, how did you even hear about millbrook? (11:04) They're always like you guys you guys got the zoo on your campus. Um, (11:07) So yeah, it is in particularly for students that want to go on to study animal science, right? (11:12) Like yeah, there's a clear pathway for you to do that from the beginning and get real hands-on experience doing that. So (11:18) um (11:19) I would say yeah, it is some kids jam and then other kids are like man (11:22) I've never been around these type of animals.I'm good. Um, right (11:27) When a player comes to millbrook, do they have to play multiple sports? (11:30) Yes, so we do have a three sport requirement so you're going to play a sport every season (11:35) um, and again what that looks like i'm the type of coach I want (11:39) I want kids to to be in different spaces. I want you to play a different sport (11:43) i'm going to coach you hard during basketball season and of course (11:46) we're going to go over your goals from a basketball perspective and we're going to check those boxes, but (11:51) I do think it's important at schools like a millbrook (11:54) That if basketball is what brought you here (11:56) Let's just you know use that as an example that you explore everything else that's out there (12:00) And so a part of that is yeah (12:01) yeah, go, you know go run cross country and um use that as a way to get prepared for the basketball season or (12:07) Um, you know, we've got guys so we've got guys that run cross country.We've got some guys that play tennis right now (12:13) um (12:14) and then we got some guys that like, you know, you can be a manager if (12:17) You don't want to play something else or you don't have a real second sport (12:21) You can go manage a sport. Um, then we've got older kids 11th and 12th graders that kind of you know (12:26) They'll do strength conditioning as their sport in the fall as a way to prepare for winter (12:29) Then they're in you know (12:31) Basketball season in the winter and then in the spring they're doing what's called fitness (12:34) So there's some different avenues that you can take me as a coach. I encourage you to play two sports (12:39) um, I just think (12:41) You know that if you look at what? (12:43) The highest level athletes are doing like lebron james is a classic example, right? He played football and basketball in high school (12:49) Um, it can be done.There's going to be a lot of folk that tell you to specialize specialize specialize. I think in my opinion (12:55) um, you're better off being in a practice every day for a sport that maybe isn't your main sport then (13:01) Then going on your own and thinking you're going to work out every day at that same level. Um, yeah (13:07) there's no built-in excuses you're going to get the work in and (13:09) So I I encourage it and also if you go back to our philosophy at millbrook right community (13:14) and I think that's an easy way to get your guys going and involved in the community is like go play another sport go do (13:20) You know go go in the theater and sign up for the fall play like do something else (13:25) so that there are other adults on campus that can advocate for you once you graduate from here, you know over the next 40 years, so (13:31) yeah, you and I are (13:32) Go ahead.I'm, sorry (13:34) No, I was gonna say that that and that's always that's a part of the goal too as a coach, right? (13:37) Bring guys in from a basketball perspective, but when they leave they have the hooks (13:41) Of other things on campus that where they want to come back and visit and it's not just about you know (13:46) How many points they scored or me? It's it's really about millbrook. So (13:50) And garvin what you're talking about is it's kind of delimited day among parents is like to have your kid do basketball for 12 (13:56) months a year, but they don't get a break and they specialize and we see (13:59) Overuse injuries or do you play multiple sports which nick saban always liked at alabama football? (14:05) Um, and you know get a different skill set from the other sport (14:08) Give your body a break from doing the same motions over and over again. So is there a right way or wrong way? (14:13) I think we're seeing the benefits of specializing.We're also seeing the detriment of it. So (14:17) Each family has to make their own decision, right? (14:20) That's what I always put it back to and that's most things right where it's it's actually more individualized than you think (14:26) It's not a blanket (14:27) This is right for me or this is right for you or this is what they're doing in this program (14:31) It's like what is best for you? You know, what's your body? (14:34) You know, I think about myself as a player and like because I played football (14:37) I was a more physical basketball player, right? (14:40) And if you see some kids that play soccer early their footwork and the way they can do different things (14:44) Is just better because they played soccer early (14:46) so there are benefits to playing both and then of course (14:48) Like there are kids that are machines that couldn't walk and chew gum when they were eight but have drilled basketball (14:55) you know (14:56) 365 days a year and now they're 16 and they're pretty good, right? And so (14:59) You know that that works for those kids. Um, so I just think every family's got to run their own race with that.Um, (15:06) All right, big question. My family's asked me about is hey, what does this program do in in in terms of development? (15:13) So what do you tell families when they ask about like hours in the gym individual workouts, etc? (15:18) That's unfortunately. That's the part that I haven't let go of from a college perspective (15:22) I let go a lot of ego with the development piece.I just love being in the gym with my guys (15:26) um, i'm fortunate enough to work in admissions where (15:30) My schedule is pretty flexible. So, you know, we'll go in the mornings, especially in the fall (15:36) We'll try to work in the mornings and i'll give them enough time to like shower and eat breakfast after the workout (15:40) So they can get to their first class and then throughout the day (15:44) It's like coach. Can I get in the gym? (15:46) Yes, i'll be there in 10 minutes (15:47) And we spend a ton of time in the gym just throughout the day during off periods and things like that (15:52) obviously, we work closely with our strength and conditioning coach, um to make it like basketball specific lifts and (15:58) uh, but I I think (16:00) the development piece is probably the biggest piece out of school like this, um, and then (16:05) The other side to just the that's the preseason development (16:08) But I think where we actually have found a really good wheelhouse at millbrook being smaller is the on the court development in games (16:15) Right, like we're not the type of school to bring in.We're not we'll have 15 guys in our roster (16:20) uh, but I would say like eight eight to nine are gonna play every year and (16:26) Particularly you're starting five you're starting six guys (16:28) Like they know they're gonna get a ton of reps on the court, right? (16:32) I may scream at you for not getting back on defense, but i'm not immediately going to sub you out (16:36) We just don't have the luxury as a smaller school to have that much depth (16:39) And so what happens is you see guys really get better throughout the course of the season (16:43) In their in-game decision making in their in-game development (16:47) off the court and in preseason stuff, we're pretty intentional about how obviously we're pretty intentional about that just (16:52) um, we'll do small groups and (16:55) Positional sizes things like that, but I think where where we are really fortunate (17:00) Um for lack of better words is like you're gonna get in the game you're gonna play (17:04) Uh, and and ultimately that's what's going to prepare you to get to college and when you look at our practices (17:09) Having been in college practices for for 10 years, right? Our practices are go go go go go go go (17:15) And so you're getting a college tempo practice (17:19) and so I think (17:20) and then I think the last piece of the development is the holistic development of person right like (17:25) you are going to i'm going to be pushing you to go to to extra help or to (17:30) To academic support or to play an instrument (17:33) That's like a big one that I use on our guides is like hey learn take intro to piano and like learn to play (17:37) The piano a little bit kind of gives you a different something different to go to when basketball is not going well (17:42) um, and so (17:43) I I just think um, it kind of is threefold. It's the the off season when you're not in game mode (17:50) When you're in games playing and then what else are you doing to develop outside of the basketball space and and really utilize the school? (17:57) So i'm really hands-on. I probably to a fault with the the development piece.I um (18:02) Probably need to to delegate some of that but I just like it. I like being in the gym with our guys (18:07) I like I think (18:08) It's a way for me to connect (18:09) With our guys outside of you know, i'm telling them. Hey run this run this now when we get in the workouts (18:14) It's a lot more slowed down.It's a lot more they're like, oh you you could play a little bit. I'm like I told you (18:20) so (18:21) um (18:22) And again, I want guys that want to be in the gym, right? (18:24) And so some of the development is being intrinsically motivated to send that text to me (18:28) Text me and let's get in the gym (18:31) I'll know most of their schedules, but there are some times when a kid would be like, hey class is canceled (18:35) I'm like, hey i'm there let's shoot. Um, so (18:38) That that's kind of how I approach it.Every kid is different (18:40) Every kid needs different things from a development standpoint and we'll treat it as such. Yep (18:45) And if I am playing if i'm a student there and i'm playing a fall sport (18:48) I can also work in basketball in conjunction with that other sport then is what i'm understanding (18:53) Yeah, all the all the coaches here work together (18:55) Um, so for instance, you're you know, i'll use cross stay with the cross country example (19:01) If you're running cross country and we have open gym (19:03) Uh, they will you know, they'll let you kind of go as long as you communicate what you got to do (19:07) They'll let you go to open gym, right? So there's no there's no crossover there (19:11) um, and it's the same thing like (19:12) With myself and we've got some baseball players on our roster, right? (19:15) Like once we get towards the end of season, I know they're getting hungry for their sport (19:18) I'm letting them go a little early to take go go to the batting cages, right go go take uh, (19:24) You know go pitch so we all got to work together. I think it ultimately (19:28) It starts with our philosophy of community and that's why we're able to just (19:32) Play a little jazz like we like to call it and and make sure that um kids are getting exactly (19:36) What they need out of millbrook from a from an athletic perspective (19:40) I love it.Um for your post grads, they're going to come in with a diploma. They've graduated (19:44) What do they do academically at millbrook? (19:46) Yeah, I always tell them like we are not the type of school that you're going to come in and take like (19:51) Interpretive dance three times and then sat prep you are going to we are going our college counseling team and our academic deans are (19:57) Going to look at your transcript during the application process and they're going to say hey (20:02) Coach this this looks really good. I think you know, we have a math class for them to take (20:06) Um, so you will take real classes and the goal with you taking classes is to make your transcript to enhance it and make it (20:13) Um when you come in you're getting higher academic looks than before you got to millbrook (20:18) Um, because you maybe you took a higher level math or you took a higher level history (20:22) Um there you will take just naturally you will probably take less classes than a freshman.Um, (20:28) But they'll all be real classes. So you probably take five four or five classes. Um, (20:34) And and again, everybody's different (20:35) Some kids need to take six or seven as a post grad because they stumbled freshman or sophomore year (20:40) For the most part the post grads we get um (20:42) we've been very fortunate that they come in with a pretty academic background and (20:46) We're able to use that to then get them a a step up from a recruiting standpoint to higher academic schools (20:52) but yeah, you'll take real classes and I think the benefit to (20:54) Being a post grad is if you're going to take four or five classes and have less in a few more off periods (21:00) How are you utilizing those off blocks? Right? And so we talk to our post grads about first of all (21:06) Being caught up academically so that when you do have a free period you don't have to go to see a teacher (21:10) You can go to the weight room and get an extra lift in (21:12) You can come to me (21:13) We can watch film during the day or you can go to the gym (21:16) and so (21:17) That is the culture of our post (21:18) That's what the culture has been of our post grads that have been in for the past two years is (21:22) They just get right to work.They understand their schedule. It takes a little bit, but they understand their schedule and (21:27) Once they have a good grip on that. Um (21:30) that's where you start to see the separation happen on the court where they're able to utilize their free time to (21:34) To just get better.Um, and I think that's kind of the benefit to being a post grad here (21:39) I love it. Now. Do you offer ap classes or college credits? (21:43) We do offer ap classes.I think like most (21:46) Higher academic schools they're moving around the language surrounding ap. Um, so next year we're going to call them. I think just advanced classes (21:53) uh, and the reason behind that is (21:57) just (21:58) College application process.Um, so if you're only offering a certain amount of aps (22:01) It kind of hurts you when your kids are applying to college. So now we're we're advanced classes. But yeah, we do offer those (22:07) um, and again, those are (22:09) You have to get recommended into those by a teacher (22:12) So they'll they'll have you the whole year and the teacher will say yeah (22:14) they need to take advance or if you're coming from a situation where (22:18) You know, we have a we have a post grad right now that took like three aps out of his old school (22:22) Like he's gonna he's gonna take some advanced classes without needing the recommendation (22:26) But yes, that is that's a huge part of it.Um, (22:29) Again, if you're a school that your goal is college placement, then you have to offer some of those classes. Um, yeah (22:36) Okay, when families reach out to you and they ask about playing time (22:39) How do you answer them man? (22:41) that's always the tough one because (22:43) You don't always have your roster complete when they ask you that right and um, that's right (22:47) I think for me, there's obviously no guarantees. I think if you're recruiting a post grad (22:51) They're going to play at least at millbrook, right? We wouldn't recruit a post grad to then not play him (22:56) um, but within that there are no guarantees surrounding playing time, so um, (23:03) and (23:04) So my my answer when families ask me is we don't know our roster yet (23:08) When we have we're going to play our top eight guys and our post grads are going to play and then after that everything is earned (23:13) um, and (23:15) i'm (23:15) I coach all 15 guys in practice (23:17) So I never worry about like guys being ready like she's going to be ready because i've been on him in practice.Um, (23:23) But yeah playing time's tricky like you're playing a 32 minute game (23:26) um, so you want to have that eight eight to nine guys in your rotation, um in in playoffs, it could get a little tighter and (23:33) so (23:34) I always tell families like if you want to come in and you want guaranteed playing time (23:38) Then this is probably not the program for you (23:40) But if you just if you just put your head down and you get to work with no expectations you show up every day in practice (23:45) You're probably going to play. I just don't see a world where kids that do the right thing every day don't play (23:51) and i'm (23:52) You know, I will talk with kids all season about playing time (23:55) I think it's important as coaches to be transparent with your guys about where they stand and why (24:00) and so I have an open door policy my kids know like (24:02) if you're (24:03) if you're frustrated about playing time come in and talk to me because we need to have a productive practice and if (24:08) I see like your body language and practice a little down. It's distracting for everybody.I'm going to address it, right? (24:13) So let's have this conversation before or after practice so that when we go into our practices (24:18) The energy that we need is always there. Um (24:21) And and then parents i've been fortunate. We've had some really good parents in the program.Um, but even that right like it's (24:28) Hey, have you have you talked to to billy joe about playing time because me and billy joe have talked numerous times (24:34) So he knows why he's not playing right? And so just making sure that sometimes in boarding school (24:38) It's really easy for the kids to keep all the information themselves (24:41) So they don't have to go home to their parents and tell it (24:44) Um, and so as a coach like don't take it personal if a parent reaches out and asks about playing time (24:48) Maybe they just haven't spoke and you know (24:51) They just want to feel for why their baby isn't playing and I completely understand that as a parent like i'd want to know too (24:57) So, um, i'm definitely not the type that shy away from that conversation, but i'll have it to a point (25:02) You know what? I mean? Um, and then i'll ask the kids like (25:04) What are the kids that aren't playing? Are you watching? Are you coming in to watch film with me? Are you? (25:10) Uh getting extra shots up or did you go the other way, right? (25:13) You realized you weren't playing and now you're avoiding me and not going to the gym to get shots up because you're never going (25:17) To break through and if our goal is college placement and for you to play in college (25:20) You're going to experience hard in college. This is this is the hard part (25:24) So break through like watch the extra film sessions as much as it drives you insane (25:28) Get the extra shots up as much as that drives you insane and you're tired, right? (25:31) And then when I call your number, you're you're almost certainly going to be ready. Wow (25:37) Have you had a situation where you recruited a player and they came on campus and they were better than you thought they'd be (25:43) Yes (25:43) Yeah, um (25:46) That's fun.You don't always that is fun (25:48) That is fun because it happens the opposite way too. So yes, i've been on both ends of the spectrum. Um, and I think (25:55) Recruiting is an imperfect science.Um, i've been doing it long enough that I kind of trust my eye (26:00) But there's always kids that i'm like man (26:03) you've really got something in there that I didn't even see when when I was recruiting you and (26:08) And I think the fun part about this in our level is we can play around with that in the game (26:12) Like let's experiment with this new skill set or whatever. It is that I we just observed (26:17) um, but yeah, I think (26:20) um film (26:21) You try to get out and see kids live you try to evaluate the film as much as you can (26:24) um (26:25) But they're not playing with the four guys that they're going to be playing with and you know (26:29) They get and and sometimes they're so comfortable at the level (26:32) they are playing with that when they get to you in boarding school all of a sudden it's a refreshed energy and there's (26:36) And it's like if you can sustain that you're different than you were in high school when I was evaluating (26:42) Um, so yeah, I'd say you're you're most coaches are probably in the situation where they've got it wrong more times than they've got it (26:49) Right, uh, but i've certainly got it right a couple times (26:52) Okay, it's fun when that happens. You're right (26:54) Um, it's april 2026.The transfer portal is in full steam right now (26:59) So what is your placement strategy for your seniors and postgrads? (27:04) Yeah, um (27:06) We kind of talk about it in the fall like right away (27:08) Hey, there's a real world where your recruitment goes a little longer because maybe it's grades. Um, maybe it's position right? (27:16) And then our high academic kids that are you know up against the ed1 or ed2 timelines (27:21) We try to get those done best fit as early as possible (27:24) Yes for the reason you just said there's no reason to play around with that with the transfer portal (27:28) Um, but if you're a kid that is right on the border d2 d3 your recruitment's going to go longer (27:33) The d2s aren't going to come calling until they know for sure the d1s aren't in the mix (27:37) and so you got to sit tight and (27:39) um again (27:40) I had kind of have the connections to get on the phone and call guys and be like, hey (27:44) Where are we at? (27:45) Like what's going on with this kid and they're like coach talk to me in march talk to me in april (27:49) and so then you got to circle back but (27:52) Again, it's the individual right like every kid's in a different situation, especially at millbrook where (27:58) I'm, not going to tell all our kids to commit to the first school that reaches out to them because that's not (28:02) There that's not the right thing for each kid to do. Um (28:06) The portal's open and (28:08) You've you better be pretty good if you you want to fight that battle in the portal.Um (28:13) Talking with college coaches there. They are recruiting high school kids, but they're recruiting short things, right? (28:19) They're not the the days of like guessing on a kid that that's not happening anymore (28:24) um, and so (28:25) it's unfortunate but (28:27) it's a part of it and it's a part of the the (28:29) the growth of basketball in general and us high school coaches just have to be able to pivot and (28:33) Um grow your network (28:35) I think it's a great time to grow your network because the guys that you could have called are now (28:38) They're waiting a little bit longer. And so (28:40) Um, I think individually telling each family what it's going to be early on, um communicating throughout the season (28:47) um (28:48) and then you know (28:49) that I guess the tough part now is like you're stuck most of the high school coaches right now are stuck between (28:55) Calling coaches to place their last couple kids, but also probably have one or two kids in the portal (28:59) What coaches are calling them and so you're caught in this? Hey (29:03) My center is in the portal, but I have a center for you right now, you know (29:06) uh, and so just having that balance of like understanding the levels and understanding where kids can go and (29:11) Yeah (29:13) Okay.Now you're in the nepset class b and a question some families ask me is does it matter if we're in triple a double? (29:19) a single a b (29:20) Um, I always say no, it doesn't matter. It's all great competition. I I suggest you go based on the coach but um (29:27) When someone asks you about nepset class b (29:29) How do you explain to them the level the benefits the challenges like give me your take on it (29:35) Yeah, I mean we are um, because we're only 330 kids right a b and c go based off of enrollment size (29:40) The number of boys in your school or the number of girls in your school.Um, you can opt up depending on how close you are (29:46) um, we we technically are class c by if it went just strictly off of enrollment size we are um, (29:53) fortunate to compete from a basketball perspective in b just because of the success we've had um, (29:58) and (29:59) for for us it (30:00) affords kids the opportunity to (30:03) Be in a smaller academic setting where your class sizes are only going to be 8 to 12 (30:08) A smaller basketball setting where we're only going to have eight to eight to nine players that you're competing against for playing time (30:15) But you're able to play against larger schools, right? So we max out the number of up games you can play (30:21) We play all the class a teams within and within a half hour 45 minute to an hour drive of us (30:27) Um, we'll we'll go, you know, we'll play in the hill tournament (30:30) We we always get like a double a team in that tournament. We always play a nationally ranked team in that tournament. So (30:35) um, that's what our goal is as a class b school is to give you you can be a (30:39) Big fish in a small pond while playing against other big fish.Um, and I would say obviously there's (30:48) Everybody's goal is individual. So what is your goal? Like what do you want to get out of this? Right? (30:51) So for us a lot of our kids try to play at the highest level aau they can (30:55) And then with us they're playing a different role (30:58) They're able to expand their game a little more right, uh than they would if they're playing on a au team with 15 (31:03) Division one guys, right? Um, so for us also working with the au teams to make sure (31:08) Hey, do you got a kid that needs more on the court development right there? (31:11) Maybe they're not playing for you all summer (31:13) They're they're coming here and they're going to be able to play. I mean, I think that's the beauty of class b where it's (31:19) and then (31:20) The fun part in class b and a is just the really good coaches like every game is a chess match (31:25) And I think it really helps the kids.It helps the product we're putting out (31:29) and so (31:30) Play is great. That's for specific kids and (31:33) Double a is fantastic. And then a b and c are all really really competitive and I think (31:37) either crossover games all the time between a and b and (31:41) Any given year any team can get anybody.Um (31:44) And so for us (31:45) That that's really the biggest difference is just the amount of kids you're walking around with every day on a daily basis (31:51) We try to operate (31:53) our basketball program (31:54) at the highest level right, um (31:56) We just have to so (31:59) Got it. What does it take to be a d1 guard? (32:03) Iq you you have to know the game. Obviously, you have to be able to score you have to be able to make a shot.Um (32:12) Everybody's gonna make a stink about size and there's an element of truth to that (32:16) But if you if you know pick and roll reads where that ball's got to go (32:19) If you know how to play in transition if you rebound (32:22) As a guard you haven't you're giving yourself a really good opportunity to play at the division one level (32:28) um (32:28) If you you know, you look at i'm thinking of some of the class b guards that are that (32:32) Are playing at division one level right now like amir lindsey (32:35) Uh, he's he's not you're not gonna look at him and say oh he's this huge 6-6 guard (32:40) No, he makes the right play every single time. He's out there and then he shoots a high clip (32:43) He can get guy he can play, you know on the ball off the ball and I think that's the hardest thing (32:48) for kids to do right now is (32:51) Everybody wants to be a combo guard (32:53) But what does it look like when you're on the ball and what does it look like when you're off the ball? (32:56) Right, and if you're able to do both at a high level (32:58) You'll give yourself a real opportunity to play at the scholarship level. Um, if you are a point guard (33:04) You are limited right? You need the ball in your hands when you get off the ball (33:07) You don't really know where to stand how to move right? (33:09) Uh, and if you're a true shooting guard and you can't play in ball screens (33:12) And you can't really make a decision past just playing off your catch (33:15) Gonna be hard for you to play at the scholarship level (33:17) um, and then (33:19) Obviously defensively and then you got to over communicate like you have to and that goes back to like knowing what's going on (33:24) But as a guard you have to talk (33:26) The coach can't beg you to talk and you think about some of the some of the best guards i've coached (33:31) Um at the division one level (33:33) Never shut up.They just never shut up (33:36) um, it was a part of who they are so (33:39) um (33:40) You know you god's gift helps god's gift of athleticism or height or strength (33:44) All of that stuff is really good. You can overcome that with skill and I think a lot of it is iq and (33:49) Really being a student of the game. Um, you see all these, you know, you look look across the board nationally and you look at (33:56) uh (33:58) even what (33:59) Dave, uh (34:01) Mcdonald's gonna do at st.Bonnie's, you know, he's already got two d2 transfers (34:05) to play at the d1 level and (34:06) I just think there's and the reason these guys can cross over and go from d1 d2 to d1 or d3 to d1 if you look (34:13) at (34:13) um (34:14) The kid from worcester state like those kids just have high iq they can make a play. Um (34:20) Yeah, I I think there's (34:23) Kids can get there but you got to be pretty intentional and you got to be smart iq is the number one thing i'd say (34:28) Okay (34:29) What do you see as the future of prep school basketball? (34:33) Man (34:34) Uh, I think that that's a great question. Um, i'm super proud to be at a school that i'm not really worried about (34:40) Um, you know (34:41) no matter what the landscape of (34:43) The ncaa rules are or this and that like we are going to be fine because of our focus on academics and basketball and athletics (34:50) We're not a school that goes all in on just one or the other (34:54) um (34:54) So I think we're gonna we're gonna be fine, but I do think the landscape is going to change here (34:59) And I was talking yesterday.I think the ncaa is going to change their model over time (35:03) Which is it's going to impact what we're doing at the prep level (35:06) um (35:07) but I think (35:08) I think the product in the nepsack in particular is going to be fine (35:12) And I think it's because we are we don't operate as basketball academies, right? (35:16) Like that's right most most of the schools in the nepsack (35:20) You're you're a high academic kid or coming in to do school work and basketball at the same time (35:24) As long as that stays at the heart of who we are (35:27) I think we can sustain most of the changes to basketball or any sport (35:32) Where it's going to get tricky is for some of the basketball academies (35:35) Where these kids have options or they have five years of eligibility or you know (35:39) Just different whatever that looks like. I think it could impact the basketball academy (35:43) But the future of the nepsack I think is in a really good place. Um (35:46) You know, you're seeing different schools pop up too that see some success right away (35:52) Um, I don't know.I just think because our product is holistic. I think we're in a good spot (35:58) I agree couldn't agree more. I think the demand is going to go up more and more (36:01) You still need advocates, which I think you guys in the prep school coaching world are the best in the country (36:06) Um, so I feel i'm bullish on it.I really am (36:10) Gonna gonna finish here some quick hitters. All right (36:13) The best player you ever played against? (36:15) Wow, man (36:17) Mm. That's a great question.Um (36:21) Oh man jimmer for debt was really really good. Um (36:27) Ghani lawal was really really good. Lester is done and i'll give you one more.Um (36:36) Man that's a good question. Um dante green (36:39) Okay (36:40) uh as a college coach and prep school coach (36:42) We're going to separate these but who's the best player at the college level you've coached against and then same question for the prep school (36:48) level (36:49) Best player i've coached against at the college level (36:53) Xavier lee was was ridiculous (36:56) um (36:57) Give you a d3 guy eric demers. He went to gordon college.He was incredible. Um, and then i'll give you a d2 guy (37:05) uh (37:07) Will morton from stonehill was a lefty that was a really good player player of the year in 90 10. Um (37:15) Player that i've coached was the second part to that (37:17) Uh the prep school level who's the best player you've coached against? Oh, man, uh anthony thompson from uh, western reserve (37:24) Um, he was the kid going to ohio state.He's he's we couldn't do a whole lot with him. Um (37:30) You know, we we tried it all and uh his size and his ability to shoot it. He was just he's just a different breed.So (37:38) Favorite movie (37:40) Paid in full. Okay, and what's your hobbies when you're not doing this coaching prep school thing? (37:47) Um (37:49) Everybody that is watching this that knows me they're gonna laugh like I like to read and then probably play 2k (37:55) It's probably the other thing that like people laugh about. Um, (37:58) But like that those are probably the two things if I get some free time, that's what I like to do (38:02) What are you reading right now that you can recommend? (38:05) I recently yeah.Yeah. I'm reading a series called the warrior prophet. Um, it's like some sci-fi (38:11) Some I go into different (38:13) Just genres and I can't get out of it until I finish.So right now i'm reading a series called the warrior prophet (38:20) It's one of those like I got two chapters in there. I was like i'm in trouble, but i'm gonna power through (38:25) That's a good sign. I mean you can't put a book down (38:26) That's one of the best feelings in the world (38:28) Just like when you can't stop playing a song over and over again, like that doesn't happen every day (38:32) So I hear you and then when you finish it, it's like woo.I did it (38:36) You know, it's a sense of accomplishment. I do I do really like that part of it (38:38) So, yep, okay. And is there anything you want to talk about we did not cover in our conversation today? (38:44) No, I just appreciate what you do for (38:47) uh, you know prep kids around the world just kids in general, I think, um, you know, you and I were talking even yesterday about (38:53) um (38:54) girl players and I (38:56) It's it's you were one of the first names.I forget who sent it to me (38:59) Uh, maybe josh grayba at putnam, but when I got into this space, he's like you need to connect with cory and um (39:04) so really happy that we were able to connect over the past two years and (39:08) Um that you had me on today, man. I really do appreciate that (39:11) Oh, I appreciate coming on, you know, I got to see you actually coaching action last, uh, (39:16) This january on a snowy snowy day (39:19) And you guys I think won an overtime and you've got a beautiful campus (39:23) The zoo is unique (39:24) You got a beautiful athletic facility and you just with your college experience and just having one team and the academic profile (39:30) Moberg has like i'm i'm i'm high on you guys (39:32) So i'm looking forward to working with you in the future. And um, I just really appreciate you coming on today and uh (39:38) Sharing your story with everybody (39:39) Thank you, man.Thank you. I really do appreciate you too, brother (39:43) All right (39:43) Well, if you guys enjoyed this, please be sure to share this with someone in your in your network that might enjoy this podcast (39:49) Subscribe on youtube and on all the major podcasting platforms and if you're interested in prep school (39:53) Uh go to our website down below prepathletics.com and fill out a free assessment (39:58) We get back to everybody and if you're interested in millbrook and reaching out to coach mcallister directly (40:02) All his contact information will be below feel free to do that and we'll see you next time on the prep athletics podcast. Take care