If you thought Florida was just about palm trees, beaches, and football dominance, think again—high school basketball is having a major moment. With national powerhouses like Montverde Academy and IMG Academy already making waves, the Sunshine State just added another titan: Prolific Prep.
Yep, the elite California-based program that’s sent a lineup of future NBA stars into the big leagues is packing up and moving to Fort Lauderdale.
The result? The stage is suddenly set for what could be the most competitive high school basketball scene in the country—and maybe even a Florida-hosted national championship tournament.
Florida Is Now the Epicenter of High School Hoops
Prolific Prep made it official earlier this year: after 11 successful seasons in Napa, California, they’re relocating to Fort Lauderdale for the 2025–26 school year. Their resume is already jaw-dropping—nine NBA players, 14 McDonald’s All-Americans, and 15 Nike Hoop Summit selections.
But this move isn’t just about a change in zip code; it’s about joining a red-hot basketball scene that’s bursting with talent.
“We’re excited to join Florida’s thriving basketball ecosystem,” Prolific Prep head coach Ryan Bernardi said in a statement. “This move gives us elite facilities and puts us in a position to regularly compete against the best.”
A NEW ERA
We are excited to announce that Prolific Prep will be relocating to Fort Lauderdale, FL effective immediately. We’re thrilled to embark on this new journey! 🌴🏠 pic.twitter.com/YhKWoSvCtO
— Prolific Prep (@ProlificPrep) May 15, 2025
That includes nearby juggernauts like Montverde Academy—home of 2024’s No. 1 NBA Draft prospect Cooper Flagg—and IMG Academy, both of which have become staples in national rankings.
And Prolific Prep isn’t showing up empty-handed. They’re bringing a full-fledged facility with them—think NBA-style weight rooms, high-tech performance labs, and professional-grade basketball courts.
They’ll also continue their academic partnership with The Rock School, a private Christian institution in Gainesville, Florida, known for its own strong basketball program. Prolific’s players will live, study, and train together, making the whole experience feel more like a college program than a traditional high school.
Florida’s Elite Trio: Montverde, IMG, and Now, Prolific
The trio of Montverde, IMG, and now Prolific Prep forms what might be the most stacked high school basketball triangle in the country. Each of these programs consistently churns out Division I athletes and NBA-caliber talent.
Montverde has produced names like Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and D’Angelo Russell. IMG isn’t far behind with alumni such as Jaden Springer, Jarace Walker, and Anfernee Simons.
What’s even crazier? All three of these programs will now be within a few hours of each other. That proximity could lead to more frequent matchups and a level of competition that’s virtually unheard of at the high school level.
And that brings us to the million-dollar question.
Could Florida Host a High School National Championship?
Let’s be real: with all this talent concentrated in one state, why wouldn’t Florida host its own national high school basketball tournament? The infrastructure is already there. Schools like Montverde and IMG regularly host elite showcases. Now, throw Prolific into the mix, and you’ve got the makings of a must-watch, annual event.
A Florida-based national tournament could rival the current Chipotle Nationals (which only invites a handful of the country’s best programs). Imagine a March Madness-style showdown where top teams from across the country come to battle Florida’s big three on their home turf. It wouldn’t just be a hoop dream—it could be a reality very soon.
Beyond just the glitz and glam of such an event, there’s real value here. A national championship in Florida would mean more scout attention, more NIL buzz for players, more media coverage, and more opportunities for kids to shine on a big stage before they even step foot on a college campus.
Prolific Prep’s move isn’t just about their own growth—it’s a sign of where high school basketball is headed. We’re seeing a new trend emerge: regional superpowers coming together to form mini-conferences or battlegrounds where only the best survive.
KEEP READING: 2-Round 2025 NBA Mock Draft Features Groundbreaking Trade, Surprising Fall for Certain Blue Devil
This could change everything. Instead of top programs being spread across the country, we might start to see them cluster in hotspots like Florida, Texas, or even Nevada. It means the days of state-based competition dominating high school hoops could be on the way out, replaced by a new era of elite, cross-country rivalries hosted in basketball-rich zones.
In other words, Florida is about to become the front porch of high school basketball’s future.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
