Jason Preston

Preston played basketball for William R. Boone High School in Orlando, Florida, averaging two points per game over two years.[1] He stood about 6 ft (1.83 m) and weighed 140 lbs (64 kg) out of high school and applied to the University of Central Florida as a regular student, planning to major in journalism. After competing on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, Preston chose to play basketball at a prep school, joining Believe Prep Academy in Athens, Tennessee.[2] He grew four inches (10 cm) and gained experience as a point guard.[1] Preston averaged 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds per game, leading his team to a 31–8 record.[3] He started out playing for the B team and was elevated to the A team after a series of strong performances, but began playing for the C team after receiving little playing time. Preston eventually managed to rejoin the A team. After posting his highlights to Twitter, Preston received college basketball offers from Ohio and Longwood, eventually committing to play for Ohio.[2]

As a freshman at Ohio University, Preston averaged six points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, earning MAC All-Freshman Team honors.[4] On November 13, 2019, he posted a sophomore season-high 27 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in an 81–72 win over Iona.[5] On January 21, 2020, Preston recorded 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in an 83–74 loss to Toledo.[6] On February 8, he scored 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the second player in program history to register a triple-double, in a 77–46 win over Miami (Ohio).[7] As a sophomore, Preston averaged 16.8 points, 7.4 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game and was a Second Team All-MAC selection. He led the MAC and ranked second in the nation in assists.[8]

On November 27, 2020, Preston recorded a career-high 31 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a 77–75 loss to eighth-ranked Illinois.[9] His story drew national attention following the performance.[10][11][12] On January 23, 2021, he posted his second triple-double, with 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in an 85–77 win against Ball State.[13] Preston was named most valuable player of the MAC tournament after leading Ohio University to the title.[14] On March 20, in the first round of the NCAA tournament, he helped the 13th-seeded Bobcats to a 62–58 upset victory over fourth-seeded Virginia, recording 11 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.[15] As a junior, Preston averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, earning First Team All-MAC honors. On April 26, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[16] He later decided to remain in the draft.[17]

Preston is a Christian.[26] Preston's mother, Judith Sewell, died of lung cancer when Preston was a junior in high school. His father was absent from his life.[2] After his mother's death, Preston's aunt and uncle, who were living in Jamaica, became his legal guardians, though he remained in the United States and lived with the son of his mother's friend.[1][12] He grew up watching the Detroit Pistons and has written about the team for online publications.[2]

In April 2023, he was featured as the subject of an AT&T commercial that chronicled some unfortunate events in his early life. He had produced a highlight video that helped earn him a Division I scholarship with Ohio and an eventual pro career. He was drafted by the Clippers in the 2nd round.[27]

• Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
• Ohio Bobcats bio