The DeJuan Marrero Podcast

MJ Curry joins DeJuan Marrero fresh off his commitment to George Mason. The 6'5" class-of-2027 wing from Grayson High School (Loganville, GA) — No. 71 nationally and the highest-rated recruit in George Mason program history — breaks down why he chose Tony Skinn and the Patriots over high-major offers, what sold him on their culture and defense-first fit, and what he plans to bring to Fair...

Archbishop Stepinac head coach Pat Massaroni joins DeJuan Marrero to talk about building one of the nation’s top programs. We discuss Josh Rivera’s breakout and USC commitment, why Massaroni turned down IMG Academy, and the Chipotle Nationals controversy that led him to take a seven-game suspension to protect his players.

Zion Green was the talk of the gym in Vegas. The 6'10" wing and ESPN's No. 30 player in the class of 2027 joins DeJuan to recap his 22-point performance in AZ Compass's 88-79 ESPN2 win over Beckham Black and Southeastern Prep at Border League — what it was like sharing the floor with the No. 1 and No. 2 player in the country, and what he's learned playing next to DeMarcus Henr...

AZ Compass head coach Pete Kaffey joins DeJuan Marrero as the Dragons tip off Border League in Las Vegas. Last season ended 23-1 with a 69-65 heartbreaker to CIA Bella Vista in the EYBL Scholastic championship — this year, Kaffey says the group is ready to make the leap. We get into what that loss taught him, replacing Kaden House's scoring, why Demarcus Henry might be the most complete player...

Indianapolis guard Harper Baker-Lands joins the show to break down his commitment to Western Michigan. The Plainfield HS standout and Indy Heat (EYBL) product talks about why the Broncos won him over, his journey through the EYBL circuit, and the biggest leap in his game this past year.

Jeremy Fears Jr. turned down the NBA Draft to return for his junior year at Michigan State. In this exclusive interview, the elite guard breaks down exactly why and how he's using this year to separate himself as a league prospect. We dive into his summer grind, the specific skills he's targeting for development, and what it really means to survive Tom Izzo's infamous "Grind Week." Plus, he opens...

Mount Carmel head coach Jordan Lynch joins DeJuan Marrero for a conversation on the Caravan's chase for history. The 2013 Heisman finalist and 2026 Northern Illinois College Football Hall of Fame inductee talks about coming home to coach his alma mater, how the program resets every year in pursuit of a fifth straight state title — a first in school history — and the standards that keep a locker ro...

Fishers (IN) star Jason Gardner Jr. is officially an Auburn Tiger. The 4-star point guard and Indiana Mr. Basketball frontrunner joins the show one day after announcing his commitment to break down the biggest decision of his life. Gardner opens up on why he chose Steve Pearl and Auburn over home-state Indiana, DePaul, Florida, and Stanford — from the text Pearl sent the day after getting the head...

Coach Phil Washington on bridging the gap between high school and elite AAU basketball. The Indy Heat 17s head coach breaks down what he learned this summer at the EYBL, Indiana's June advantage, and what's coming for Lawrence Central this season.

From Newman HS (MA) to IMG Academy (FL): Jackson Johnson discusses his big coaching move from Boston to Florida. We talk about integrating high level talent, building a championship-caliber roster, managing expectations in Year 1, and what his vision looks like for IMG Academy basketball. Plus, insight into his coaching philosophy and how he’s approaching the season.

Fishers HS point guard Cooper Zachary is headed to FGCU. On the pod, he discusses his D1 commitment, his AAU journey, and what it’s like being part of a championship program culture. Zachary talks modeling his game after pro guards and his expectations for his senior season.

Brian Cooney, social media manager for Minnesota, breaks down what it actually takes to manage a D1 program’s social presence. We talk his path from Harvard athletics to Minnesota, how he’s carved out his niche spotlighting other creatives, and the real blueprint for finding YOUR lane in sports media.

Peter Julius just transferred to Eagles Landing Christian Academy to team up with 5-star AJ Williams, who just reclassed to class of ’27. On this episode, the No. 3 Georgia recruit and No. 55 national prospect in the ‘28 class talks about winning EYBL 16U Defensive Player of the Year with Georgia Stars, averaging 15 PPG and 12 RPG against elite competition, his defensive versatility, the transfer...

Coach Steve Turner joins DeJuan Marrero to discuss earning EYBL Scholastic Coach of the Year in his debut season at Montverde Academy and the addition of elite recruits, including 5‑stars Isaiah Hamilton (No. 8 SC NEXT 60) and Xavier Skipworth (No. 13 SC NEXT 60).In this episode:• Steve shares how he is recruiting top-tier talent to Montverde Academy.• Javion Tyndale’s elite summer: 18ppg with UPl...

Rapheal Davis, Former Big Ten Defensive Player of The Year and Big Ten analyst — breaks down this summer’s top prospects, including Brady Pettigrew, who just won 16U EYBL MVP, why Michigan State is a perfect fit for Carlos Medlock Jr., and the upside five‑star Isaiah Hill brings. He also shares his thoughts on Alan Huss’s impact at Creighton, the non‑traditional prep pipeline, and what Purdue is e...

Ryan Bernardi, Head Coach of Prolific Prep, joins DeJuan Marrero to discuss building an elite roster for the 2026–27 season, attending the NBA Draft to witness Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa’s journey to the league, how social media is reshaping high school basketball recruitment, Chipotle Nationals and much more.

Brady Pettigrew is the No. 1 prospect in Illinois and No. 13 in the country in the 2028 class. The Bolingbrook standout joins the show to break down his breakout spring and summer with Brad Beal Elite, where he’s averaging 23.6 PPG and sitting top 4 in EYBL 16u scoring. Brady opens up on stepping into the lead role at Bolingbrook, what he’s really looking for in a college program beyond the offer...

On this episode of the DeJuan Marrero Podcast, we sit down with Michai White. No. 3 PG in the country and the No. 1 player out of New Jersey in the class of 2028. Michai is putting up 21 PPG and 5 APG on the Nike EYBL circuit with City Rocks 17U, ranking top 5 in scoring across the circuit. We break down his summer, his thoughts on the NBA Finals, Dylan Harper, Jalen Brunson, the NBPA Top 100 camp...

Coach Khristian Smith didn’t just have a good year, he had a historic one. As an assistant at Miami of Ohio, he helped engineer one of the MAC’s most dominant defensive teams in recent memory, and was just selected for the inaugural NABC Flight School. One of the highest honors for an up-and-coming coach in the country. In this episode we chop it up about the season, his player development process...

On this episode of the DeJuan Marrero Podcast, I connect with Link Academy’s Chad Myers to break down his season from start to finish (26-5) record. We dive deep into the EYBL Scholastic League, why it’s the premier high school league in the country and how Chad and Link Academy ran the conference to claim the EYBL Scholastic title in the 24-25 season. Plus, we talk the Chipotle Nationals experien...

Jordan Pettway (@shakehoops) joins us fresh off Chipotle Nationals in Fishers, Indiana. We break down Bella Vista (AZ) winning the boys’ national title, the energy in the gym, and his takeaways as a creative. Plus, as a North Carolina fan from CT, he gives his perspective on Michigan’s 69–63 championship win over UConn. Enjoy!

Coach Steve Turner joins the DeJuan Marrero Podcast to break down Montverde’s 9–0 run through the East Division in the EYB Scholastic League, his first year at MVA, and the identity driving this new era of Eagles basketball and much more. Enjoy.

Belmont freshman Jack Smiley joins the podcast fresh off a win over Murray State and 7‑game win streak. We talk about his jump from La Lumiere and the EYBL to contributing at Belmont, his efficient start to college basketball, and what he learned from playing alongside first‑round pick Jeremiah Fears with Indy Heat. Jack breaks down returning home to Valpo, choosing a winning culture under Coach C...

Crown Point head coach and future Indiana Hall of Famer Clint Swan joins the show fresh off a 6–0 start to close out 2025. We break down the Bulldogs’ Hall of Fame Classic championship at New Castle, the tight win over Cathedral, and the identity driving this undefeated group. Coach Swan shares insights on leadership, player development, and what’s next as Crown Point enters the new year with mome...

In this episode, AZ Compass head coach Pete Kaffey opens up about leading his group to a 3–0 EYBL Scholastic start, preparing for a brutal stretch at Hoophall West and HoopHall Classic, and the mindset behind building a winning program. He also shares what it was like coaching Jeremiah Fears before his rise to the NBA and the moments that revealed his pro potential.