From National Signing Day to the Global Stage: IMG Academy Student-Athletes Thrive at Every Level

BRADENTON, Fla. (April 15, 2026) – IMG Academy, the world’s leading sports education brand, continues to demonstrate the strength of its student-athlete development model, with more than 100 student-athletes signing to collegiate programs during Spring National Signing Day, part of a broader pattern of success spanning high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Representing sports including basketball, baseball, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball, this year’s spring signing class reflects IMG Academy’s approach to developing student-athletes equipped to succeed across academic, athletic, and personal development pathways.

These outcomes showcase success in competition, and in academic placement at many of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including Ivy League and top-ranked universities across the United States and abroad. Student-athletes are continuing their academic and athletic careers at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, Howard University, Georgetown University, among many others.

These placements reinforce IMG Academy’s emphasis on academic achievement and college readiness as core components of its development model, ensuring student-athletes are prepared for success at the highest levels of both sport and education.

“What we’re seeing is not just success at one stage, but a model that consistently develops student-athletes to perform at every level and makes IMG Academy unrivaled in the industry,” said Brian Nash, VP of Athletics at IMG Academy. “With more than 100 signees this year and continued alumni success at the collegiate and professional levels, we’re seeing that model deliver consistent results and one that’s built for long-term success.”

This Signing Day milestone is one example of how IMG Academy’s development model continues to translate into measurable success across every level of sport, from professional leagues to record-breaking collegiate performances and national championships.

On the professional stage, IMG Academy recently celebrated another WNBA Draft selection, further strengthening the rise of its girls basketball program at the highest level. Looking ahead, multiple IMG Academy alumni are also expected to be selected in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, reinforcing the program’s long-standing pipeline to professional football. IMG Academy had six alumni that were invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, tying for 18th nationally among all college and prep programs. Overall, IMG Academy has XX picks in the last XX years.

At the collegiate level, IMG Academy’s impact continues to be felt nationally. This year, a record 43 alumni competed in the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament, emphasizing the program’s consistent presence on one of college basketball’s biggest stages. That success is further highlighted by alumni Darius Acuff Jr. at Arkansas, who delivered one of the most historic freshman seasons in NCAA history, setting the school’s freshman single-game scoring record with 49 points and averaging 22.2 points and 6.4 assists per game, while posting a statistical profile unmatched in Division I basketball.

Beyond basketball, IMG Academy programs across campus continue to produce championship-level results. The U18 volleyball team reached a historic milestone, earning the No. 1 national ranking for the first time in program history while also securing a dominant 10-0 championship run at the Northeast Qualifier to earn a USA Volleyball Nationals bid. The program also produced USA Volleyball Junior Female Athlete of the Year honoree Olivia Henry, who will be recognized at the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame Ceremony this spring.

In track and field, IMG Academy delivered its strongest showing ever at New Balance Nationals Indoor, sending a program-record 53 qualifiers, earning 31 All-American honors, and producing 10 national champions, including a first-ever national title in the boys shuttle hurdle relay.

As IMG Academy celebrates Spring Signing Day and continued success on national and global stages, the institution remains focused on its purpose : to empower student-athletes to win their future preparing them for college and for life.

About IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches.

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.