how are we different?
Drills vs Small-Sided Games
We don’t like mindless drills with never-ending repetitions. You won’t see cones in our work-outs and you won’t see us doing much 1-on-0, 3-on-0 etc. These don’t help you as a player transfer skills to the game. Expect lots of small-sided games where you are challenged to think through lots of 1-on-1, 3-on-3, 5-on-5.
Set Plays vs Conceptual Offense
Classical vs Jazz: we don’t play much classical here. Set plays have a time and place, but our focus is on teaching you HOW to play instead of WHAT to play. We use a conceptual offense, focussed on creating advantages through triggers and having coverage solutions for every-type of defense you will see.
Transactional vs Transformational
Our coaches are not authority figures who are high and mighty beings. Rather, our coaches are positive role models who use their charisma and personality to motivate and inspire instead of relying on fear and punishment. PlayStation coaching is not used here: do not expect coaches to tell you when to make a play!
Ignore vs Embrace the Science
Our staff are passionate about evidence and research, especially focussed on human development and skill acquisition. At College Prep, the staff embrace the research while combining the empirical evidence with their unique individual experiences. Our coaches ensure we are at the cutting edge of our craft.
Random vs Systematic Player Development
A lot of traditional player development features random drills and workouts. College’s strength is a unique and highly individualised player development program where everything is done for a specific reason. We use monthly player development plans, curriculums and checklists to review progress and evaluate understanding.
Grind vs Fun
Our staff have fun. They are serious about the development and growth of themselves and their players, but this does not mean they take themselves seriously! Basketball is not a grind. Being part of College Prep is a fun and enjoyable experience. Be prepared to listen to some (bad) jokes and enjoy the positive vibes.
player development
Hopefully we would make Soviet neurophysiologist Nikolai Bernstein proud, as “repetition without repetition” is key to everything we do. No 1-on-0, cone dribbling, agility ladders, form shooting or fake fundamentals at College Prep! We keep perception and action coupled.
the head coach
Alex Sarama has travelled the world in his mission to learn and discover new ways of approaching the game. Alex’s experience has included three years with the NBA where he worked on a number of NBA projects including Basketball without Borders and Jr. NBA. In addition to his role at College Prep, Alex serves as Creative Director of Basketball Immersion: the world’s largest resource for basketball coach education and Player Development Specialist at Paris Basketball. Alex shares ideas for thousands of coaches around the world as well as delivering consulting for NBA and NCAA teams.
Alex presenting to the Denver Nuggets about the ideas used at College Prep
Basketball is a complex system, and instead of teaching specific techniques to players, we create an environment in our player development where various skills emerge. This means we refrain from spending time working on intricate dribble moves or “10 different ways to finish with a soft touch.” That’s because we work on the things that happen the most in games.
Being skilled means using functional solutions to solve an array of potential situations. This includes key skills such as 3PT shooting, reading close-outs, finishing against primary and help defenders, as well as using triggers to punishing several types of defensive coverages.
Our coaches do not teach moves and techniques. We create an environment which allows players to make decisions, self-organise and develop their own solutions to solve the problem. This means playing with small-sided games against live defenders with varying types of constraint manipulation.
skill = a functional fit between the player and their environment
what does modern coaching look like?
Learn more about our revolutionary approach to practices! We wholeheartedly disagree with the idea of perfect practice and using drills like three-man weave, 5-on-0 etc. Our players are taught about the importance of a growth mindset and how struggle needs to be embraced to truly develop. See for yourself how our industry-leading methods are a GAME CHANGER for the development of our players…
Small group player development practice focused on Pick & Roll
Analogies and imagery: how we make performance basketball fun!
style of play
We avoid using random playbooks with rigid sets and strict motion offenses. The Prep coaching staff have spent years formulating their own unique ideas surrounding offense and defensive styles of play which are based on the latest trends emerging within European, FIBA and NBA basketball.
College Prep use a conceptual offense. This is because the staff believe it is the best way to develop the players’ understanding of any action in the game as well as a variety of coverage solutions. This allows Prep players to seamlessly slide into any team’s playbook. Offensively an emphasis is placed on relentlessly creating and converting advantages. This means the aim is to end offensive possessions with high value shots such as in-rhythm threes and rim finishes. We don’t take mid-ranges and fade-aways at College Prep!
how does this transfer?
One of our core values is integrity. We are transparent in everything we do and how we approach our relationship with players, agents and coaches. You can see us at our best and at our worst in two game examples below, seeing how we respond to both losses and wins.
Coach Sarama is the creator of the BDT Offense, which is the world’s first-ever resource for basketball coaches to teach a conceptual offense from scratch. The work done with the College Prep team is used as inspiration for coaches at all levels of the game from grassroots to NBA, who watch College Prep practices and games as well as making in-person visits to Borgomanero.
why join college prep?
competition
We create our own competition schedule playing in exhibition games against teams across Italy. By not playing in the Italian league system, we have complete flexibility in our schedule ensuring every game we play is against quality competition. Prep competes in the EYBL and a whole range of tournaments across Europe.
exposure
With unparalleled connections to NCAA Colleges as well as professional teams, College Prep is a great destination for whatever career route you wish to pursue. As part of our partnership with Basketball Immersion, there is no better destination to get exposure to coaches of all levels of college basketball in the USA.
life aspirations
By joining our program you will meet other like-minded teammates and coaches, who share the same aspirations to use their time at College Prep to springboard successful careers. The program is year-round and lasts for almost 10 months, which allows players to also play with their respective home national teams during FIBA windows.