The DeJuan Marrero Podcast

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 process, which players he studies on film, and what he’s looking to prove this high school season

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 UPlay Canada, led Team Canada to gold over Team USA U18.• The impact of social media on program culture and recruitment.• Oneal Delancy’s successful summer. • The Caleb Williams connection.Plus: Turner’s favorite golf courses in Florida and why the move from the DMV was the right call. Full conversation on coaching at the highest level of grassroots basketball.

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 expecting this season..

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 sheet, and why staying home has been the right call so far. Enjoy..

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, and what it means to carry the flag for Jersey basketball. Enjoy. .

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, and what he’s seeing on the AAU circuit right now.