Advertise on podcast: The DeJuan Marrero Podcast

A new program. A new challenge. Chris Neff chats with DeJuan Marrero to talk Year 1 at Monarch Academy, the players who will define this group and what he wants the Monarchs to become in the EYBL Scholastic League. Plus, he looks back on his 17U Peach Jam championship runs with MOKAN Elite and how those experiences shaped the way he coaches today.

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 Fairfax.MJ also talks through his breakout summer, from being discovered on the 3SSB Circuit to finishing on EYBL and winning the 17U Peach Jam championship with Florida Rebels, and previews his season ahead at Grayson.

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 Henry every day. Zion also opens up on his recruitment (official visits to Oklahoma, Alabama, and Ole Miss down, Kansas is a no go), growing to 6'10", and the lessons from his dad, Rodney Green — a 2,700-point scorer at LaSalle who played 13 years overseas.

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 in the 2027 class, coaching his own son Malachi, and Sunday's marquee matchup: No. 1 Beckham Black (Southeastern Prep) vs No. 2 Demarcus Henry. Plus: why AZ Compass will be the team nobody wants to see when the Chipotle Nationals bracket drops.

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 up about his brother Jeremiah's transition to the NBA with the Pelicans and what that path taught him about the college-to-pro jump.

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 room full of blue-chip talent hungry.Plus: developing quarterbacks the Lynch way, defending the program in the private vs. public debate, and a look ahead to Friday night's rivalry showdown with Brother Rice.

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 job, to a September official visit with "no flaws, besides leaving." He also talks Auburn's lineage of undersized star guards, the advice from his dad (former Arizona All-American Jason Gardner Sr.), and the mission ahead: a Class 4A state title run at Fishers and the Mr. Basketball race.

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 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.