Archives: Speakers

• Head Coach at Huntington Expression Prep
• Top Coach in the USA
• Previously Coached: O.J. Mayo & Andrew Wiggins

Arkell Bruce is one of the country’s most respected coaches in the Prep school world. He enters his eighth season as head coach of Huntington Prep. Bruce has been impactful on both the court and on the recruiting trail in his time with the kings.

Bruce is from Huntington, W. Va., where he helped build one of the country’s elite prep school programs. Huntington Prep finished top 25 nationally on numerous occasions while always playing one of the premier HS schedules in the country. Bruce coached numerous high-level players and the country’s No. 1 high school player, NBA champion Andrew Wiggins

A 2002 graduate of Mountain state university, Bruce began his career as a skill development coach. He started his own AAU program the WV select in 2003/04 where he had a top 10 finish at AAU nationals in 2005. He went on to coach WV state title champions Huntington High School as an assistant coach in 2007/08 where he coached OJ Mayo and Patrick Patterson. Bruce then went under the tutelage of Donnie Jones at Marshall University as a Grad Asst. And then Mountain State Academy as an asst coach under Rob Fulford in Beckley, W. Va. (2008-09) After helping establish the program, his team ranked as high as No. 30 nationally and was selected to play in the inaugural ESPN Rise National Championship.

Bruce then helped to start the basketball academy in Huntington, helping the program move into the national rankings in just its second year of existence. Since 2009 Huntington Prep has been a staple in national high school basketball with over 50 college players and over 30 pros.

Bruce attended Huntington High School in Huntington, W. Va., and was a talented athlete, Arkell and his wife Jennifer have 5 children, 2 sons Gavin and Arkell jr. and 3 daughters Kamden, Kollins and Mya.

• Loyola University Chicago 2000’s All-Decade Player
• Former Professional Basketball Player
• Junior College Hall of Fame

• 2025-25 Division II Southwest Ohio Coach of the Year
• Former Professional Basketball Player

Mike Pilgrim played locally at Purcell Marian, and completed his high school career at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. He later signed with the University of Cincinnati, before transferring to Seton Hall and completed his college career at Louisiana State University Shreveport.

He has a great deal of playing professional basketball. He competed eight years of basketball overseas in six different countries

Oversees camp operations, staff and schedule.

Kam Mercer, a rising star in the class of 2028, has quickly established himself as a dominant force on the basketball court. Despite being just a freshman in high school, Mercer has garnered national attention and earned the title of the No. 1 player in his class.

Standing at an impressive 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Mercer possesses a physical presence that belies his age. His performance during the Grind Session in Kentucky, where he led Huntington Prep (WV) to a 2-0 record, showcased his exceptional talent. In victories against the Academy of Central Florida and Wilson Academy (GA), Mercer consistently filled the stat sheet, demonstrating his versatility and impact on the game. He averaged 14.5 points, 6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds across the two games.

Huntington Prep coach Arkell Bruce praises Mercer’s competitive spirit and multifaceted skill set, emphasizing his ability to influence the game in numerous ways. While Mercer has traditionally played as a shooting guard or small forward, he is currently focusing on developing his skills as a point guard, a position he aspires to play at the collegiate and professional levels. He believes that transitioning to a true point guard role will significantly elevate his stock.

Mercer’s ambition aligns with the modern basketball landscape, where taller guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic thrive. He aims to emulate their success, leveraging his size and skill to become a dominant force.

Although his recruitment is still in its early stages, Mercer has already received offers from Cincinnati, Missouri, Ohio State, and Xavier. As a Cincinnati native, he has a keen interest in the Bearcats, particularly impressed with their recent performance under coach Wes Miller. He also has close relationships with current Cincinnati players Tyler McKinley and Rayvon Griffith.

When choosing a college, Mercer prioritizes finding a program that feels like home and a coach who will push him to excel. He values competitiveness, winning, and accountability.

This summer, Mercer will further challenge himself by playing up with the All Ohio-Red 16u squad on the EYBL circuit, facing older and more experienced competition. He views these challenges as crucial for his development as a player.

Mercer describes himself as a three-level scorer and a two-way player, capable of both scoring and defending at a high level. He recognizes the need to refine his ball-handling skills to further enhance his game. He has a high basketball IQ, makes great reads, and is a strong team player.

Athletic talent runs in the Mercer family. His older brother, Jaylen Mercer, is a highly regarded 2027 football prospect with numerous offers. Kam hopes that he and his brothers will one day play professional sports simultaneously, creating a legacy of athletic excellence.