Although the winter season is still months away, members of Boys Varsity Basketball can already be found on Khoury Court hosting open gyms.
Open gyms are off-season practice sessions that allow players to work on skills and be seen by college coaches and scouts.
Head Coach Joe Busacca, reflecting on his past experiences scouting at open gyms as a college basketball coach at Manhattanville, Curry, and Amherst, said, “I lived on the road in September and October, going to high school and prep school gyms. It was cool watching so many great players working hard on their dreams and making an impression.”
Over the past several years, open gyms have grown significantly in popularity at the school and nationally.
This fall, Hotchkiss will host visitors from more than 35 colleges, representing a number of leagues, including the Ivy League, Patriot League, UAA, and NESCAC.
Last year, the open gyms drew considerable interest from college programs.
Boys Varsity Basketball co-captain Dean Hogans ’25 impressed a range of Division 1 coaches before ultimately committing to American University, a Division 1 school, over the summer. Hogans said, “Open gyms last year were great. The team attracted a lot of interest, and it was fun playing in front of the college coaches. We were also able to build chemistry before the season started.”
Last year, then co-captain Davin de Jongh ’24 was scouted by the Naval Academy, culminating in his commitment last winter.
This year, Coach Busacca has high expectations for the open gyms. He said, “There are a lot of players on the team, both new and returning, who are recognized for their Division 1 potential and academic talents. They are anticipated to generate a lot of interest from colleges and continue the trend of the successful recruitment that these open gyms bring.”
The open gyms are also very important for training. During the offseason, NEPSAC does not allow teams to practice formally, but does allow groups of three players to train together.
Hogans said, “The first week has been enjoyable. It’s exciting to get used to playing with the new guys, and see the competitive potential we have as a team. Being able to start early is really valuable. Additionally, having college coaches in the gym every day is an opportunity we’re all grateful for.”
Milos Vasic ’27, a new recruit from Sunnyside, New York, said, “It’s great to get back into playing with your team, especially after a long break. Having the opportunity to bond and build team chemistry is going to make a huge difference this season.”
Coach Busacca uses a hybrid training schedule during the off-season, which includes, but is not limited to open gym play. He said, “Between lifting, one-on-one training, and the open gyms, the players are able to develop a lot in the offseason. We have a small team, so I like to do dynamic one-on-one training three times a week. All of the players also lift, which is really important if they have aspirations to play in college.”
Following last year’s 14-9 season, the team is ready to maintain and improve its performance.
Coach Busacca said, “I think we have a great group of players. With both returning and new players showing great potential, I think we can have a standout season.”
