Learn how prep school basketball and post-grad years can open new doors for high school players who want to improve academically, grow as athletes, and boost their college opportunities.
You’ve worked hard. You’ve made the varsity squad. Maybe you’ve even played in some showcase events. But the college offers… still aren’t coming in.
That doesn’t mean your journey is over—it might just be beginning.
For thousands of high school players each year, the traditional four-year high school path doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, there’s a lesser-known option that’s helped countless student-athletes unlock new college opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise: Prep schools.
More specifically, a network of academically respected, athletically competitive institutions in the Northeast known as NEPSAC.
The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) is a governing body of over 180 private, independent schools in the Northeastern United States. These schools compete in structured athletic leagues and are known for offering high-level academics alongside elite athletic programs—including basketball.
NEPSAC basketball is widely respected by college recruiters for its strong coaching, competitive schedules, and player development. While most high school students and families outside the region have never heard of it, many top NCAA programs have deep recruiting ties within NEPSAC.
NEPSAC schools often compete nationally and have alumni in every major college basketball conference. But the value of NEPSAC goes beyond D1 dreams—it’s also about opening academic doors.
A post-graduate (PG) year is an additional year of academic and athletic development that takes place after a student has completed high school—but before starting college.
It’s offered by many NEPSAC schools and other prep institutions, and it’s become a proven strategy for athletes looking to strengthen their profile before college.
Importantly, a PG year does not affect your NCAA eligibility. Because students are not enrolled in college yet, they retain all four years of eligibility when they eventually sign with a college program.
Prep schools and post-grad years aren’t just for future NBA stars. In fact, many of the students who benefit the most are the ones who are overlooked, under-recruited, or underdeveloped coming out of traditional high schools.
Case 1: From Overlooked to Walk-On
Marcus had no offers after high school. He enrolled in a one-year post-grad program at a NEPSAC AA school. With added size, improved grades, and national exposure, he earned a preferred walk-on spot at a Division I program the following spring.
Case 2: Academic Comeback
Darius struggled with grades in his junior year and missed the recruiting cycle. At a prep school, he raised his GPA, improved his SAT score, and gained admission to a competitive D3 school with a strong basketball program and financial aid package.
Case 3: Reclassify and Re-Emerge
Jordan reclassified and repeated his junior year at a prep school. By the time he was a senior, he had D2 and Ivy League interest—and the maturity to handle both.
Whether you’re aiming for a scholarship or exploring a post-grad year, visibility matters. HighSchoolBasketballPortal.com is designed to help players build online presence and get seen by both college and prep coaches.
Thomas C. Konchalski was a legendary high school basketball scout who spent more than 40 years shaping the futures of student-athletes across the country—armed only with a legal pad, unmatched observational skill, and a heart devoted to service.
He attended thousands of games in school gyms, never drove a car, never accepted a salary, and refused to profit from his work. He lived simply, acted selflessly, and remained unwavering in his commitment to evaluating not just talent—but character.
He believed in doing things the right way—with humility, integrity, and a servant’s heart. He never chased fame. He never compromised his values. And yet, his quiet influence stretched across generations of athletes, families, and coaches.
At HighSchoolBasketballPortal.com, we proudly carry his torch.
We’ve committed 3% of every membership fee to the Thomas C. Konchalski Foundation, which continues his mission to support young athletes both on and off the court—with guidance, opportunity, and enduring values.
We also encourage all members—athletes, parents, and coaches—to embrace the Konchalski Standard:
Play hard. Stay humble. Lift others.
Barry “Slice” Rohrssen serves as a Trustee and trusted advisor to High School Basketball Portal, bringing decades of insight and leadership within the national basketball community. He is also a founding member of the Thomas C. Konchalski Foundation, created to preserve and carry forward the enduring legacy of one of high school basketball’s most respected and principled figures.
Through his dual involvement with both organizations, Barry remains deeply committed to elevating young athletes while upholding the values of integrity, mentorship, and opportunity that defined Tom Konchalski’s life and work.
