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 | jdriggs1010@gmail.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
