On Tuesday, Masters Academy International (MAI) opened its doors in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's participation. That says enough about who's monitoring the launch of New England's first major sports-centric academy.
But MAI is also a polarizing topic in New England prep circles.
In boys basketball, Jason Smith left Brewster Academy for MAI and top 2027 guard Antonio Pemberton followed, with Smith recruiting a stacked roster that includes high-level prospects from within and outside of New England. On the girls side, Sean "Sticks" Smith is running the show as head coach and has so far landed young talent, including key local additions like Olivia Breen and Alana Brownstein.
As part of our NEPSAC boys and girls coaches' surveys, which we have released throughout the last month, we asked coaches: Do you expect the presence of MAI to have a significant influence on NEPSAC? A combined 36 coaches gave us responses with varying degrees of detail and passion; we granted them anonymity to allow more free-flowing thoughts. Let's break down what coaches had to say.
Yes – MAI will significantly impact NEPSAC
At least one coach on both the boys and girls sides mentioned that they have lost either current players or potential recruits to MAI.
While both new teams are also bringing in students from around the country and beyond, the cores of both the boys and girls programs have been New England players to start. The head coaches both have strong ties to the region, as does basketball director John Carroll (who also remains in a similar role at Newman).
"Yes, definitely," said a boys coach. "First off, the two leaders were both (JC still is?) in the NEPSAC, taken away to start this, have plucked a number of players from NEPSAC schools (Brewster, Cats, St. George’s, Thayer, Rivers, etc.). While they’ll recruit nationally, (they) will always be involved with local kids, and across all their sport offerings have done the same, taking coaches and players from existing NEPSAC institutions."
On the boys team MAI has added local stars Pemberton, CATS transfer Josiah Adamson and Thayer transfers Aidan McGrath and Michael McNamara, among others.
Some coaches alluded to MAI's main selling point: a school schedule that puts sports first in student's demands of their time. The boys team will compete on the Nike EYBL Scholastic circuit, widely regarded as the top high school basketball league in the country.
"Yes, it already has (had an impact)," said another boys coach. "What percent of their roster is former NEPSAC guys? We're cannibalizing ourselves with this and who does it benefit? Shoe companies? NEPSAC is going to look very different in 5-10 years."
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On the girls side, MAI has recruited Breen from Oceanside High in Maine and Brownstein from Lawrence Academy. Brownstein appears on our 2029 prospect watch list and Breen should be considered a top 2030 talent in the region.
"At some point they will have an influence," one girls coach said. "I think the facilities, daily schedule, and potential athletic specific opportunities will speak to some kids and families. I don't think it will have a huge impact, especially right away, but it will certainly have an impact."
Some coaches echoed the belief that MAI will in time be a magnet for the true elite prospects. But can this benefit the region? One boys coach thinks that bringing five-star, McDonald's All-American-caliber players to New England will help elevate its broader basketball scene.
"I hope they can attract 'burger boys' to Massachusetts on an annual basis," they said. "I think that would be beneficial to our entire region."
No — MAI will not significantly impact NEPSAC
Plenty of other coaches are skeptical of MAI's staying power in a region already saturated with college prep academies. Many NEPSAC schools have academic tradition that has existed for more than a century.
"Potentially (MAI will have an impact) on some NEPSAC schools, but not on my own. Nor do I think it will impact our peer schools," said one girls coach. "Our academic prestige attracts a certain type of student, one that would not typically be interested in a school like Masters. Athletically, we have the resources and infrastructure necessary to sustain long term success (financial aid, facilities, trainers, etc.). That said, I can see Masters impacting some AA and AAA programs with less funding and resources."
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This was similar to several coaches who defended NEPSAC as the classic boarding school, academic-focused option.
"The NEPSAC is a college preparatory league, and don't compete much with 'basketball factories.' MAI seems to be a sports factory," one boys coach said.
Some doubters believe MAI is another example of sports-centric pop-ups that arrive and make a statement, but don't last long. And even if it is successful — how much does a successful basketball powerhouse really shake the ground in New England if it's only one school? How often are MAI and NEPSAC's smaller schools really competing for players?
"I think that Masters will do an awesome job of representing New England in the EYBL Scholastic," said a boys coach. "Jason (Smith) and John (Carroll) are a power duo that will do great things for New England basketball. I do not know if there will be a significant influence on NEPSAC specifically, given that we all operate in such different spaces (just like class C is different from class AAA, etc). They will attract top tier talent to our region, which can only be a good thing."
The jury is still (far) out
MAI will not have its own basketball facility completed until the 2027-28 season. It'll take time for us to see the school's final form and capabilities. One NEPAC girls coach offered a measured response about how MAI fits into the decision-making process for families, as well as some remaining unanswered questions.
"Not a huge impact right away. I think the academics are something that families will consider when looking at Masters and other schools. With so many established high academic institutions in the area families may choose those options depending on those priorities. It is a good option for families that want something different out of a private school experience," they said. "I'm just interested to see if families on the girls side prioritize what they are emphasizing. I also wonder about the basketball product and what that looks like right away. What does their travel schedule look like? Who will they play? There are smart business and basketball people behind MAI so there is a plan I'm sure and, if I were to bet, they'd be successful in the long run. But seeing what it looks like this winter will be fascinating."
A boys coach went even longer with their response and offered an interesting alternate perspective. Do the ripple effects of MAI — such as their emergence coinciding with the departures of Brewster and CATS from the EYBL Scholastic league — benefit NEPSAC?
"The NEPSAC is actually a winner this crazy summer," the coach said. "They reacquired a legendary program to AAA (Brewster) and went from 2 Nike EYBL teams in New England to 1. If you look at the history of B teams attached to Nike programs they're very inconsistent. Sunrise, Link, IMG etc., all have had really good teams in the last half decade but it varies year to year. To compete year to year at the 'national prep' level you'll need to be old, so assuming this (second) team will be primarily post grads OR multi-year kids who elect/aren't good enough for the Nike team. I'm not sure you can acquire enough good players this way. ... (I) say all this and want to add that if anyone can figure this out it will be Jason and John. The Nike EYBL team will be very good but having two really good teams is quite hard to do."
In short, NEPSAC coaches have varying opinions on MAI's impact and potential to succeed in New England. But most are undoubtedly curious to follow along.
"I think the presence of Masters Academy is going to be very interesting," said a girls coach. "It could completely change the landscape if it works. Some of the big names might be willing to transfer there."
