From the founder of Core Prep Academy

This is the guide I wish my family had.

A tactical manual for basketball families navigating the recruiting process. Todd has trained athletes at every level — and become the trusted guide families turn to for the biggest decisions on the athlete journey

★★★★★ Trusted for his guidance on the big decisions of the athlete journey
Featured in Ballislife & MSHTV
The Blueprint Guide to Getting Recruited by Todd Wilson
Trusted by · Worked with
Chris Johnson Hoops Impact Basketball Team Why Not Paul George Elite Pangos All-American Camp Swish Cultures Ball is Life EYBL
Why this guide exists

The system doesn't fail talented kids. It fails families who don't know how it works.

For years I've had the same conversation with basketball parents. It usually starts with hope and ends with frustration.

Most families try

Generic advice and hope.

  • YouTube tips with no plan behind them
  • Expensive AAU with no recruiting strategy
  • Social media gurus selling motivation, not systems
  • Recruiting services that overpromise exposure
  • Guidance that ignores parents as part of the journey
What actually works

A real system. Built for families.

  • A complete roadmap from youth ball to college signing
  • Insider knowledge from someone who's done it
  • Character and mental toughness as competitive advantages
  • A playbook for parents, not just athletes
  • Frameworks you can use tonight
Ready to start? Join the families who've already started.
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Todd Wilson, founder of The Basketball Firm
About the author

Meet Todd Wilson.

Todd Wilson is a leader in athletic development and personal growth, serving as the founder and CEO of Core Prep Academy, the owner of The Basketball Firm, and the host of the Elevate Your Game Podcast.

With over 15 years of experience, he has mentored student-athletes at every level, helping guide them to top academic and athletic programs. Through his work, Todd supports athletes, families, and organizations in navigating the athlete journey, using basketball as a platform to build identity, discipline, and character. His focus is on equipping athletes with the tools to succeed both on and off the court.

Read Todd's full story
Where Todd's players are now

700+ placements. Every level. Every pathway.

From D1 powerhouses to JUCO programs to Ivy League rosters — Todd has guided over 700 talented student-athletes to colleges where they thrived. These are real placements, real families, real outcomes.

700+
Student-athletes placed
15+
Years of placements
Every
Division covered
  • Division I
    ZZ CLARK
    William & Mary
  • Division I
    Brady Dunlap
    Georgia
  • Division I
    ISAIAH ELOHIM
    Virginia Tech
  • Division I
    GAVIN HIGHTOWER
    Providence
  • Division II
    JADEN HUBBARD
    UC Merced
  • Division III
    Trey McDonald
    George Fox
  • Division I
    MAZI MOSLEY
    LMU
  • Division I
    MIKE PRICE
    Chicago State
  • Division I
    DILLAN SHAW
    Arizona State
  • Division I
    DUSTY STROMER
    University of San Diego
A word from the foreword
Derek Fisher
Todd's resume and experience speak for themselves. He's been in the trenches — developing players, guiding families, and helping young athletes navigate the challenges that come with chasing big dreams. This guide captures that same approach. It's practical, it's honest, and it comes from someone who's lived it.”
Derek Fisher
5× NBA Champion · Foreword author
What's inside

12 chapters. 4 parts. One complete playbook.

Concealed spiral binding so it lays flat for note-taking. Packed with frameworks, scripts, and parent playbooks.

12 strategic chapters
100+ key terms
Expert insights from NBA & college veterans
Part I

The Foundation

Building the athlete from the inside out

Chapter 1: Building Your Mental Blueprint
Discovering your why, identifying threats to your goals, creating daily declarations, building your support system
Chapter 2: The Relationship Playbook
Mastering communication with coaches, parents, and teammates using the P.A.C.T. Method
Part II

The Toolkit

Mastering on-court development

Chapter 3: From Drills to Dominance
A realistic breakdown of AAU costs, training by age group (K-12), finding your role on the court
Chapter 4: Sharpening Your Tools
How to find the right skills trainer, cost expectations, 1-on-1 vs group training, DIY training options
Part III

The Path

Navigating the grassroots landscape

Chapter 5: The Reclass Year
When (and when not) to repeat a grade, the financial and social costs, a blueprint for doing it right
Chapter 6: The Academy Path for Middle Schoolers
Understanding full-time basketball academies, the two main models, questions to ask before enrolling
Chapter 7: Picking Your Home Court
How to evaluate high schools across four pathways (public, private, national powerhouse, prep school) using the Five Pillars framework
Part IV

The Execution

High school & recruitment playbook

Chapter 8: Navigating High School Hoops
Year-by-year recruitment timelines, time management strategies, the parent's role as their child's best teammate
Chapter 9: Building Your Brand
Crafting your digital identity, platform-by-platform social media strategy, what college coaches are actually looking for online
Chapter 10: The ABCs of College Recruitment
Academics, Basketball, Character, and NIL — the entire recruitment process, debunking myths, gauging real vs 'fluff' recruiting interest
Chapter 11: College Expectations
What to actually expect as a freshman student-athlete
Chapter 12: A Coach's Perspective
A special contribution from 30-year college coaching veteran Jeff Dunlap on what coaches look for and how freshmen can thrive

Plus a complete glossary of 100+ recruiting terms. Never be confused by jargon again.

Start your roadmap.
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Choose your format

Start with the guide.

Pick the format that fits your family.

Digital

The eBook

Delivered Summer 2026.

  • Full digital guide
  • Delivered instantly upon publication
  • Read on any device
  • Perfect for families starting now
Collector

Signed Edition

Personally signed by Todd. Limited quantity.

  • Everything in the Paperback
  • Personally signed by Todd Wilson
  • Limited print run
  • Keepsake collector edition
The bottom line

Who this guide is for.

This is for you

This is for you if:

  • You or someone you love dreams of playing college basketball but doesn't know where to start or how to get noticed
  • You've invested in AAU but aren't sure you're on the right path to get recruited
  • You're overwhelmed by the recruiting process and need a clear, step-by-step system
  • You want every advantage — not just on the court, but in building a foundation for life after basketball
  • You're tired of generic advice and want a proven blueprint from someone who's guided athletes at every level through this exact journey
  • You believe character and mental toughness matter just as much as a 40-inch vertical
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Not for you

This is NOT for you if:

  • You're looking for a quick fix or a magic shortcut
  • You only care about highlight reels and social media hype
  • You're not willing to put in the work (this is a blueprint, not a miracle)
Real families. Real results.

Families who've worked with Todd.

These families navigated the exact athlete journey you're about to start. Here's what they said.

Coach Todd guided us as parents through the many ins and outs of recruitment and landing a full ride collegiate scholarship. Coach Todd is top notch in his field — he equips his players with the skillset, mindset and the knowledge they need to go to the next level.

Quincy's Parents
Son received Division II scholarship

When Zach first joined Todd's program, we were hopeful but unsure of the path ahead. Todd not only honed Zach's skills on the court but also gave him something far more significant — a clear and attainable roadmap to his collegiate aspirations.

Zach's Parents
Son committed to college program

Navigating youth basketball can be overwhelming, but Todd is there every step of the way. His insights into the right processes and pathways for each child to reach their goals have been invaluable. Thanks to Todd, Mazi isn't just becoming a better basketball player; he's growing into a responsible, disciplined, and confident individual.

Mazi's Parent
Son received Division I scholarship
Ready to start?

The Blueprint your family needs.

Start the recruitment journey with the guide families trust.

Trusted for his guidance on the big decisions of the athlete journey · Featured in Ballislife & MSHTV

When will I receive the guide?

The eBook is delivered digitally in Summer 2026. Paperback and Signed Edition ship Summer 2026.

What's the difference between the eBook and Paperback?

The eBook is a full digital download of the guide — perfect if you want to start reading immediately. The Paperback is the same content in a concealed spiral binding, designed to lay flat for note-taking and reference during planning sessions with your family.

Is this just for elite athletes?

No. The Blueprint Guide is written for families at every level — from kids just starting AAU to high school seniors making final decisions. It's not about who's destined for the NBA. It's about helping any talented kid find the right college fit.

How is this different from other recruiting books?

Most recruiting advice focuses on highlight reels and motivation. The Blueprint Guide is a tactical manual — it covers the actual systems: AAU costs, high school selection, character development, the parent's role, NIL, and the year-by-year recruiting timeline. It's written for the family, not just the athlete.

What if I'm new to the recruiting process?

The guide starts at the beginning and works through every stage. Whether your athlete is in middle school or already in high school, you'll find frameworks that meet you where you are. Every chapter ends with a 'Your Next Play' section so you know what to do next.

Can I buy this as a gift?

Absolutely. Every purchase option includes a gift purchase pathway — add a personal note for the recipient, and we'll ship directly to them with your message included. Perfect for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or coaches who want to support a family's journey.

What's your refund policy?

Digital products are non-refundable once delivered. Physical books carry a 30-day satisfaction guarantee — if the Blueprint Guide doesn't deliver what we've promised, contact us within 30 days of delivery and we'll make it right.