Palm Beach Prep Opens the Cupito Era With a Deep Roster

Palm Beach Prep (PBP) enters the 2026–27 season with a new structure, a new head coach leading its post-graduate program and one of the deepest rosters the program has assembled since its founding.

Based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, PBP has steadily established itself as a top developmental option in South Florida for players looking to improve their college opportunities. PBP operates out of Pick a Ball Sports Complex in Deerfield Beach, a state-of-the-art facility featuring six basketball courts, a dedicated shooting room and a fully equipped weight room, providing players with everything they need for year-round training and development.

Over the past four seasons under Connor Quigley, Palm Beach Prep has helped over 40 players move on to college programs across multiple levels while developing a reputation for finding overlooked players, developing them and creating new opportunities in the recruiting process. The program has continued to grow beyond the court as well. PBP has added a housing program for its post-graduate student-athletes and expanded into high school basketball for the 2026–27 school year. Quigley now serves as the school's president and the high school team's head coach while continuing to oversee the program’s long-term growth.

The program enters 2026–27 with a new leader on the sideline, as Brad Cupito takes over as head coach of the Post Grad National Team. Coach Cupito's coaching background includes stops as a varsity coach at Turpin High (OH), assistant at College of Charleston, time with the Miami Heat, and NBPA Five Star basketball in New York City. His program is built on high standards, daily accountability and complete player development.

In his first season, Coach Cupito has assembled a versatile and talented roster. This team has great length, plays hard, plays fast and can really shoot. Its approach to scheduling is truly "anybody, anytime", and that includes multiple games against national prep school championship contenders. Look for several of the players profiled below to end up at high-level collegiate programs.

Lucas Barnes (2027) 6’6 point forward - Built like an SEC defensive end, raised in Spain playing team-focused basketball, Barnes is most effective facilitating at 20 feet. He possesses elite passing skills. He brings tremendous versatility to any lineup, with his ability to shoot 3 and play the post. His father Lamont Barnes was a four year starter at Temple (1995-99). 

Stefan Frisby (2027) 6’1 guard - Frisby has tremendous physical strength and is a true combo guard. Creating for others in the paint and defending the ball on pick and roll defense are his best attributes. He has also made himself into a >40% 3pt shooter.

AJ Ivy (2027) 5’11 guard - Ivy plays with great pace. He is a gym rat, fits well in any system. He is a >40% 3pt shooter. His great commitment to the weight room allows him to guard bigger players. 

Deng Mu (2027) 6’8 wing - Originally from South Sudan (a US citizen), Mu is only in his second year of organized basketball, and his progress has been meteoric. His shot blocking and pick-n-roll perimeter defense are at a High Major level right now. He will be the best athlete in many college programs the day he arrives. Ivy League/MIT-level academics.

Bryce Reed (2027) 6’5 guard - Reed is built like an outside linebacker. He is an elite level defender who can guard multiple positions. He plays his best against the best competition and in the open court. Developing into being a >40% 3 pt shooter in college. He can run any set drawn up on the board from all five positions. 

Alyk Smith (2027) 6’1 guard - Coach Cupito says Smith is the best cutter he’s ever coached. He completely changes the pace of the offense when he is on the floor. He is a glue guy and guards multiple positions. He has tremendous physical strength and is at his best in full court press situations. 

Quentin Smith (2027) 6’3 wing - Smith is a versatile athlete and a junk yard dog on defense. He can play multiple positions in a full court press. He is at his best in an up-tempo system. His work is making him a rapidly improving 3pt shooter.

Trey Spriggs (2027) 6’6 wing - Spriggs is an elite level three point shooter and his complete game is emerging. His offseason work in the weight room is getting him to where he needs to be. A great teammate. Ivy/Patriot level of play and academics. 

LJ Stocks (2027) 6’1 point guard - Stocks is a left handed, true floor general. His father is a D1 assistant and former D1 head coach; his mother was a WNBA head coach. He plays like the son of a coach. He is a D1 level athlete and a tenacious defender. Coaches who value productivity will want to sign him.

Calvin Thompson (2027) 6’3 combo guard. Thompson is smart, can get his own shot and is great off screens. He is a tremendous on-floor communicator. He is a >40% 3pt shooter and averaged >5 rebounds per game during summer and preseason.  He is a seamless fit in any program that values reading off ball screens or runs continuity offense. 

Anthony Valdes (2027) 6’2 guard - Valdes is a pure scorer and a massive addition to the PBP program. He has the potential to approach 45% from 3pt which stretches the defense. He can score multiple ways.

The team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.