Unlock the Secrets of Prep School Basketball with Avon Old Farms Head Coach Matt Mihalich

Join Cory Heitz and Matt Mihalich, Head Coach at Avon Old Farms, as they dive deep into the world of prep school basketball, player development, and the path to college success. Matt, a veteran coach with D1 experience and a basketball legacy (his father was a D1 head coach), shares honest, no-nonsense advice on what it takes to thrive in prep school, the importance of multi-sport athleticism, and how families can navigate the complex recruitment process.

Matt also reflects on his journey—from growing up in a basketball family to coaching in the WCAC (the toughest homegrown league in the country) and now leading one of the most respected prep programs in NEPSAC Class A.

💡 Key Topics:

📌 Prep school basketball development and the Avon Old Farms difference
📌 Playing time in prep school: Setting expectations for players and families
📌 Reclassifying vs. post-grad years: Academic and athletic considerations
📌 Multi-sport athleticism: Why Avon Old Farms encourages it
📌 College recruitment strategies in the transfer portal era
📌 D1 guard requirements: Skills, basketball IQ, and intangibles
📌 The future of prep school basketball: Rivalries, traditions, and player development

🏀 About Matt Mihalich:

Matt Mihalich is the Head Coach at Avon Old Farms, a prestigious all-boys prep school in Connecticut known for its elite basketball program and commitment to academic and athletic excellence. With a background that includes coaching at Bishop O’Connell (WCAC), George Mason University, and the University of Hartford, Matt brings a wealth of experience to player development. As the son of a D1 head coach, he grew up immersed in the game and now leads one of the most respected programs in NEPSAC Class A. Matt’s philosophy centers on teaching, culture, and preparing players for success beyond basketball.

🔗 Connect with Matt Mihalich:

Twitter | https://x.com/CoachM_AOFhoops
Twitter | https://x.com/AOF_Basketball
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/aof_basketball/
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mihalich-78294336a/
Website | https://www.avonoldfarms.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 | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

Join Cory Heitz, founder of PREP Athletics, as he breaks down the latest updates in prep school basketball, NCAA rule changes, and the importance of finding the right fit for young athletes. In this episode, Cory shares insights from the Final Four showcase, discusses the new NCAA transfer rule, and introduces the upcoming Masters Athlete Institute. He also pays tribute to the late Whit Lesure and welcomes Paris Horne as the new head coach at Bridgton Academy. Whether you're a parent, player, or coach, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you navigate the prep school journey and maximize college basketball opportunities.

💡 Key Topics:

📌Prep school team structures: Main vs. second teams and what it means for players
📌NCAA transfer rule changes and eligibility concerns for post-grad athletes
📌The role of prep schools in navigating NIL and transfer portal chaos
📌Introducing the Masters Athlete Institute and its coaching staff
📌Honoring Whit Lesure’s legacy and welcoming Paris Horne to Bridgton Academy
📌How to evaluate prep school options for academic and athletic development

🏀 About Cory Heitz:
Cory Heitz is the founder of PREP Athletics, a leading resource for families navigating the prep school basketball journey. With years of experience in player development and recruitment, Cory provides honest, practical advice to help athletes and families find the right fit for their academic and athletic goals.

🔗 Connect with Cory:
 
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

Unlock the Blueprint for Basketball Success with Coach Robert Icart
 Join Cory Heitz and Coach Robert Icart, founder of BTI AAU—a powerhouse program in Southern California that has produced 11 NBA players, 40 international pros, and countless D1 athletes. In this no-nonsense episode, Coach Icart pulls back the curtain on what it takes to develop elite guards, the realities of AAU basketball, and how to choose the right prep school for your athlete’s future.

Discover the intangibles that separate NBA players from the rest, the culture that builds champions, and why life skills learned on the court translate to success off it. Coach Icart also shares his personal journey—from turning down college jobs to building one of the most respected AAU programs in the country—and how he helped his own son, Justyce, navigate the prep school process.

💡 Key Topics

📌 NBA vs. D1: The intangibles that set players apart
📌 How to evaluate and choose the right AAU program
📌 Prep school recruitment: A parent and coach’s perspective
📌 Developing elite guards for the modern game
📌 Life after basketball: Skills that translate to success
📌 Building a winning culture in youth basketball

🏀 About Coach Robert Icart

Robert Icart is the founder of BTI AAU, a premier basketball development program based in Southern California. With over 25 years of experience, Coach Icart has mentored 11 NBA players, 40 international professionals, and hundreds of D1 athletes. His philosophy centers on holistic player development, blending athletic excellence with life skills to prepare athletes for success on and off the court. Coach Icart is also a trusted advisor for families navigating the prep school and college recruitment process.

🔗 Connect with Coach Robert Icart

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/roberticart.btihoops/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/btihoops/
Twitter | https://x.com/roberticart

🔗 Connect with Cory:
 
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

Join Cory Heitz as he sits down with Jim Driggs, Head Coach at Albany Academy and former Division III standout, for a no-nonsense conversation about the prep school basketball journey. Coach Driggs shares his unique perspective on player development, reclassifying, and college placement strategies—drawing from his experience as a player, college coach, and now a leader in the NEPSAC AA.

In this episode, Coach Driggs dives deep into:

• The realities of prep school basketball and why competition in the NEPSAC is unmatched.
• How he develops players with individualized training, morning workouts, and a focus on toughness and basketball IQ.
• The honest truth about playing time and why he avoids over-recruiting positions.
• Why reclassifying might be the best move for young players—and how Albany Academy supports academic and athletic growth.
• His college placement strategy and why relationships with college coaches matter more than ever.

If you’re a parent, player, or coach navigating the prep school route, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world insights to help you make the best decisions.

💡 Key Topics

📌 Prep school basketball recruitment and the NEPSAC advantage
 📌 Player development secrets: Morning workouts, skill diversification, and toughness
 📌 Playing time promises—what coaches really mean
📌 Reclassifying vs. post-grad year: Which path is right for your athlete?
📌 College placement strategy—how Albany Academy prepares players for the next level
📌 Balancing academics and athletics in prep school

🏀 About Jim Driggs

Jim Driggs is the Head Coach at Albany Academy, a historic prep school in New York and a member of the NEPSAC AA. A former Division III All-American and national assist leader at Hamilton College, Coach Driggs has spent his career developing players at the high school and college levels. His coaching stops include Eastern Connecticut State, Union College, University of Rochester, and Allegheny College, where he honed his expertise in program building, player development, and college recruitment. At Albany Academy, he emphasizes individualized training, academic excellence, and honest communication with families.

🔗 Connect with Jim Driggs

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/aa_boys_basketball/reels/
Website| https://www.albanyacademy.org/
Email | [email protected]

🔗 Connect with Cory:
 
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

Join Cory Heitz as he sits down with Kenyon Murray, a former McDonald’s All-American, overseas pro, and father of NBA first-round twins Keegan and Kris Murray. Kenyon shares his unique journey—from a late start in basketball to becoming a standout at Iowa, playing professionally in Sweden, and coaching at the junior college level. He dives deep into the pivotal decision to send his sons to DME Academy for a post-grad year, a move that transformed their careers and led them to the NBA.

Kenyon’s story is a masterclass in finding the right fit, making tough decisions, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—both on and off the court. Whether you’re a parent, player, or coach, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the prep-to-college pipeline.

If you’re serious about basketball development, this is a must-listen.

💡 Key Topics:

📌Prep school basketball vs. JuCo: Pros, cons, and who should consider each
📌The role of prep school in NBA development: Keegan and Kris Murray’s story
📌Balancing academics and athletics: Lessons from the Big Ten and beyond
📌International basketball: Cultural adaptation and career growth
📌NBA transition: The unseen challenges for rookies
📌Building a holistic athlete: Kenyon’s vision for the next generation

🏀 About Kenyon Murray:

Kenyon Murray is a former McDonald’s All-American, University of Iowa standout, and professional basketball player in Sweden. After his playing career, he coached at Indian Hills Community College and is now a mentor, life coach, and keynote speaker. Kenyon is also the father of NBA first-round picks Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings) and Kris Murray (Portland Trail Blazers), both of whom attended DME Academy for a post-grad year before starring at Iowa. Kenyon is passionate about helping young athletes and families navigate the complex world of basketball development, emphasizing the right fit, academic-athletic balance, and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Kenyon Murray:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/murrayelitebasketball/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/kenyonmurray_/
Twitter | https://x.com/KenyonMurray_
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/michelle.murray.5070276
Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenyonmurray/

🔗 Connect with Cory:
 
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

Coach Antonio Anderson, head coach at The Darrow School, has one of those basketball resumes that instantly earns your attention. He won a state title in Lynn, re did his junior year at Maine Central Institute, then transferred to Laurinburg Prep after committing to Memphis. At Memphis, he scored over 1,000 points and is one of only two Tigers to record a triple double, alongside Penny Hardaway. He also played professionally, including time around Kevin Durant and James Harden, and now he is building Darrow from the ground up. In this episode, Antonio gets real about what “development” actually means at a boarding school, what he looks for when recruiting, how playing time is earned, and how he attacks college placement by emailing coaches across every level. If you are a parent trying to find the right prep fit, or a guard who wants to play college basketball, this conversation gives you clear standards, not hype.

💡Key Topics:
 📌 Darrow School basketball and moving up to NEPSAC AAA
 📌 Prep school player development: discipline, lifting, open gym culture
 📌 Post-grad academics and college credit pathway
 📌 Recruiting traits: mental toughness, competitiveness, work ethic
 📌 Playing time expectations: earned, equal opportunity, standards off court
 📌 College placement strategy: film, schedules, livestream links, coach outreach

🏀 About Antonio Anderson:

 Antonio Anderson is the head coach at The Darrow School and a former Memphis Tigers guard who scored over 1,000 career points. He played professionally, including G League experience and time around NBA stars, and now focuses on building college ready players through discipline, toughness, and real placement work.

🔗 Connect with Antonio Anderson:

Twitter | https://x.com/ToneAnderson5

Twitter | https://x.com/darrowhoops
Twitter | https://x.com/DarrowSchool
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/darrowhoops/
Email | [email protected]
Website | https://www.darrowschool.org/

🔗 Connect with Cory:
 
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

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 | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

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/profile.php?id=61550510950704

🔗 Connect with Cory:
 
Website | https://www.prepathletics.com
Twitter | https://twitter.com/PREP_Athletics
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/prep.athletics/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/PrepAthletics
Email | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

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 | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic  

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 | [email protected]
Phone | 859-317-1166

🔖 Subscribe to the PREP Athletics Podcast:

iTunes | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prep-athletics-podcast/id1546265809?uo=4
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/6CAKbXFiIOhoHinzsReYbJ
Amazon | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c37179d-3371-47f9-9d97-fd569e8802a7/prep-athletics-basketball-podcast #AmazonMusic