Often people ask the question: How did Prolific Prep” start? Below is our story.

Jeremy Russotti and Philippe Doherty have known each other since 2001 when Jeremy was Head Coach at Casa Grande High School in Petaluma and Philippe was an Assistant Coach at the University of San Francisco.  Their paths crossed then, and their shared passion for basketball skill development united them for the next 16 years.

During this timeframe, Jeremy and Philippe trained kids from around the world, from Kindergartners to professionals.  Often, they would traverse the country with hundreds of basketballs in their truck, armed with a passion for training, and an uncanny teach the game functionally with precision. 

In June 2013, Jeremy received a phone call from a friend in the basketball world stating that a young high school kid from Michigan was flying out with his mother to observe Jeremy’s training.

Josh Jackson and his mother Shenita "Apples" Jones, also known as “Apples” arrived in Northern California in late June 2013.  At the time, Jeremy and Philippe were helping a good friend of theirs, George Sousa summer AAU team. Coincidentally,  they were leading a training camp prior to games in July, Josh spent five days training with Jeremy during this camp and by the end of the week, Ms. Jones was impressed with what she had witnessed stated:  “In August of 2014, when Josh comes back from the world championships with Team USA, I am dropping him off with the both of you and I would like for you to educate him and take care of him his last 2 years of High School.”

Jeremy and Philippe then connected with a youth coach in the Napa Valley and someone who shared in passion for basketball as well as the teaching of the game.  The three of them over the next 12 months developed, funded and initiated operations of a brand new, European Style basketball academy aimed at transforming the dynamics of developing high school student-athletes.  Essentially, Prolific Prep started with the mission of offering a college-preparatory education on and off the basketball court where elite high school basketball players, who are also great students, are placed in an environment whereby academic standards are not sacrificed in the name of athletic excellence.  All student-athletes attend a private high School and then after school transition to Prolific Prep to receive top-notch training in basketball and in conjunction with mentorship from a very experienced staff in the basketball world.

Moving forward, years later, Prolific Prep is now one of the top high school programs in the US,.  Boasting student-athletes from 23 countries and multiple graduating classes where athletes have attended superlative universities around the US, Prolific Prep is redefining the high school basketball paradigm.  Most recently, the Prolific Prep process has come full circle when alumnus Josh Jackson was selected #4 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, as well as Gary Trent Jr, selected in the 2nd Round by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2018 NBA Draft.   Most currently, Jalen Green was selected #2 by the Houston Rockets of the 2021 NBA Draft.