One year to train like a college player, compete at a high level, and earn your shot at the next level.
Who it’s for: High school graduates who are serious about playing college basketball but need more exposure, better film, academic support, or one more year to develop physically and mentally.
Two-a-day practices focused on skill development, team concepts, and game preparation. Morning individual work, afternoon team practice.
4-5 days per week of college-level strength training, speed work, and conditioning to prepare players physically for the next level.
Weekly film breakdown of games and practices. Players learn to study the game like college athletes and build their highlight reels.
30+ games against prep schools, post-grad programs, and JUCO teams. Exposure events and showcases throughout the year.
GPA improvement, NCAA eligibility guidance, transcript reviews, and standardized test prep to meet college requirements.
Many talented players can’t play college basketball because they don’t meet academic requirements. We fix that.
Work with academic partners to improve your GPA and meet NCAA requirements.
Guidance on core courses, test scores, and eligibility center registration.
Complete review of your high school transcript to identify any issues.
Connections to online and in-person academic programs to complete coursework.
A. On time
B. Attentively
C. Actively participate
D. Meet instructor's requirements
It has been an honor to have the opportunity to serve under one of basketball’s most respected proponents of, “education first”. Coach Bobby Royal, he was my coach at Pleasantville Police Athletic League, and I value the teachings that he facilitated. Under coach Royal, each student-athlete that came to Pleasantville P.A.L., he stressed academics to all in the program. I took his teachings to heart and used it in my programs. Furthermore, I had a chance to play for another academic first coach in college. Coach Bud Livingston, who continued to express academics to student-athletes at Mercer County Community College. By incorporating all I have learned from these two great men, I will expect nothing less from the student-athletes that will be under my guidance. We will take great pride in the efforts we will make to ensure that our student-athletes are making necessary progress towards graduation. Isaiah Christopher Academy men’s basketball will provide a superior and regimented academic support program with each student-athlete receiving the resources necessary to complete his mission. Missing classes due to road trips will be avoided as much as possible and tutors will be on hand to assist our athletes with their academic needs. The student-athlete support staff, as well as our coaches will work closely to ensure that they are on track to graduate.
1. Mandatory study table (optional for those over a 4.0 average)
2. Academic and career counseling.
3. Readily available tutoring
4. Communication with instructors by coaching staff and academic support
5. Bi-weekly progress reports
6. Time management seminars
7. General Therapy - Counseling dealing with the rigors of being a student-athlete. Each member of the academic support staff is considered part of the ICA's basketball success. As mentioned, our coaching staff, along with the academic support staff will ensure that each student-athlete is making routine progress towards their degree. In many circumstances, the academic support staff will play an even more important role than the members of our coaching staff. A tremendous working relationship with the academic support will be developed, thus creating a team effort in monitoring the education of each men’s basketball team member. In order to make certain that each and every member of our team is receiving proper attention in the academic arena, a volunteer and the coaches will be assigned a specific number of players to monitor. Each coach will work closely with the academic support staff and meet with their respective players’ a minimum of once a week to discuss such issues as:
A. Class attendance
B. Study table schedule
C. Grades
D. Other school related issues and concerns. As coaches, we must not look past that fact that these young student-athletes can still be very impressionable. During our time with our players, it is important that we educate each player on the possible situations that they may encounter while attending ICA.
A. Drug and alcohol awareness
B. Stress management
C. Media relations
D. Gambling awareness
E. Situational protection
F. Responsibilities of being a student-athlete
G. Etiquette
Together, we will create a reputation that programs of the future will use as a guide. Each member of our staff will be a helpful part of a student-athlete’s experience at Isaiah Christopher Academy.
Our players have earned offers from JUCO, D2, D3, and NAIA programs nationwide.
Every practice, game, and film session is designed with one goal: getting you recruited.
Our staff knows exactly what college coaches look for and how to get you there.
“ICA gave me the structure, competition, and exposure I needed. Without this year, I wouldn’t be playing college basketball.”
— Former ICA Player, Now at D2 Program
Take one year to train, compete, and get recruited at the highest level.
One more year. One real shot at college. Built for under-recruited players ready to prove themselves.
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