Derby City Prep plans to run in Louisville
Basketball fans should be familiar with Findlay Prep and Huntington Prep, two of the biggest powerhouse prep programs in the country. Kentucky and Louisville have both recruited players from those programs, along with hundreds of other universities across the country.
But fans in the Commonwealth need to familiarize themselves with Derby City Prep, a prep school that plans to keep top basketball players in the state while bringing in talent from across the country.
"We'll be providing elite basketball talent with the tools to succeed on and off the court," founder Bryan Just said. "Surrounding these teenagers with role models in every aspect of life. We want to really show them the value of doing things the right way. That's what Derby City Prep will be all about."
There are still several questions that will have to be answered for Just and Derby City Prep. Most prep schools are just basketball teams and the players attend a local high school in the area for their schooling.
Huntington Prep students attend St. Joseph Central Catholic in Huntington, W.Va. Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., sends its students to Henderson International School.
As of now Derby City Prep is unsure of where its players will go to school, although Just said in the next week or two they should have it determined.
Just, a 2010 graduate of Saint Xavier High School in Louisville was also a part of the Tigers coaching staff.
He is moving forward from coaching to spend all his time and resources on making sure Derby City Prep takes off this fall.
"There are too many resources and too much interest in this area to not accomplish this goal," Just said. "But the only way to ensure longevity and success is to incorporate the right people that are doing it for the right reasons."
Just's reasons aren't just basketball related.
"Players will be taught effective ways to succeed on both the ACT and SAT," Just said. "Along with that we have former professional athletes eager to teach the value of money management, budgeting and media relations.
"Having these daily mentors will set us apart from other schools that specifically focus on basketball. We will introduce and practice faith through weekly team Bible study sessions as well as bi-weekly service projects. We will give back to our partner school through interactive reading, art and P.E. with the lower grades."
Just's vision is more than basketball, although he said he's aware that's what fans will be interested in moving forward.
Kentuckians Rajon Rondo (Oak Hill), D'Angelo Russell (Monteverde Academy), Trace Young (Huntington Prep), Devon Cooper (Findlay Prep) and Eli Wright (22 Feet Academy) are just a few players that have left the state for prep opportunities elsewhere.
"Why doesn't Kentucky offer the best of the best at the high school level for basketball?" Just asked on the Derby City Prep's Facebook page. "Why do players like Rajon Rondo and D'Angelo Russell have to leave to get the experience every highly talented player wants/needs? How has no one tried this in Louisville or Lexington?"
Currently Just says there are players interested in joining Derby City Prep although no official roster additions have been announced.
Just said he believes players will be eager to play for Derby City Prep because of the schools location.
"Our location is in close proximity to top tier Division I programs like Kentucky, Louisville, Xavier, Ohio State and Indiana," Just said. "We are within three hours driving of upcoming contenders like Butler, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky."
Derby City Prep plans to play most of its games in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, although no home gym has been decided. It's likely that the high school Derby City Prep teams up with will also be the host gym.
Just said he's confident the team will play all across the state, giving Kentuckians a chance to see top high school talent without having to travel.
"We're close to solidifying home games in Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, Covington, Pikeville with the majority being in Louisville and Lexington," Just said.
The team would also have a chance to play in Kentucky events like Mustang Madness and the Marshall County Hoop Fest, which take place in the Paducah/Benton area and feature some of the best high school teams in the country.
Just said he's hoping to have the logistics figured out soon but one area where he isn't concerned is fan support.
"Louisville has been the TV number one rated college basketball city for the last 14 years," Just said. "There is no reason for this state and city to not offer its community to the elite level high school program it deserves."
Just said he understands it may take some time where Derby City Prep can compete with Huntington Prep, Findlay Prep and other prep schools across the country, but he's confident Derby City Prep will be there sooner than later.
Derby City Prep is finalizing its coaching staff that will feature a head coach, three assistants and a trainer.
"It has to be done the right way," Just said. "It has to be done with the right people. I am doing this for the right reasons and I'm making sure to surround this program with others that share my mission."
To support Derby City Prep, Just said you can donate at the Louisville Gala on August 5th 2016 and a golf scramble is in the works in June.
You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/derbycityprephoops
You can follow Derby City Prep on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Derbycityprephoops/?fref=ts
On Twitter: @DerbyCityHoops