Major Coaching Change in New England
A major shift in New England prep basketball is underway as legendary Coach Jason Smith becomes the head coach at Masters Academy International (MAI) in Stow, Massachusetts. This new program is quickly building the reputation as the “IMG Academy of the North”, with a large focus on becoming a premier sports academy.
Masters Academy International is focusing on a developmental approach for its athletes. According to its athletic statement from the school, “Each MAI athlete devotes four hours daily to focused training, which includes: team practice, individual skill training, mental and physical conditioning, leadership, and nutrition classes.” This is a professional level model that aims at preparing players for the next level on and off the court.
Leading the program is Director of Basketball and New England Basketball Hall of Famer John Carroll, who is creating a high level coaching staff. The addition of Smith marks a cornerstone in that process, bringing in one of the most accomplished coaches in prep basketball history.
Smith arrives after a historic 26 year run at Brewster Academy where he built one of the most dominant prep programs in the country. Most recently, Brewester transitioned into the Nike EYBL Scholastic League where Coach Smith guided them to a No.3 National Ranking in the ESPN Top 25 and winning the EYBL Scholastic Regular Season Championship in the 2024-2025 season.
Over almost three decades, Smith has won over 700 games, seven National Prep Championships, seven New England Prep Tournament titles, and ten New England prep regular season championships. Along with the victories, Brewester produced 25 NBA players, more than 200 NCAA Division I athletes, and countless professionals playing internationally. Notable names include NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell, Matas Buzelis, TJ Warren, and WIll Barton.
Individually, Smith is a three-time National Prep Coach of the Year, six-time New England Prep Coach of the Year, and a Jersey Mike’s Naismith National High School Coach of the Year finalist. He was also named one of the Top 100 Most Impactful People in Men’s College Basketball by Silver Waves Media five times. Most recently, Stadium Talk recognized him as the Greatest High School Basketball Coach in New Hampshire history.
Smith brings that background to Masters Academy International, where expectations are rising. MAI is positioning itself to become a national powerhouse and Smith’s arrival will help accelerate that vision into reality.