Ohio University’s Jason Preston ascension into an NBA prospect is quite the Cinderella story. After only averaging 2 points per game in high school, he chose to attend prep school to give his basketball dreams one more chance. From there he managed to earn an offer from Ohio after uploading his highlights on social media. After sharing his story with the world while catching NBA scout’s attention, Preston is a legit prospect in this year’s draft.
2021 NBA Draft Profile: Ohio University’s Jason Preston
College Career
Preston spent three years playing at Ohio University. He truly made an impact in his sophomore campaign. In that season, Preston averaged 16.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. He decided to return for his Junior year after the 2019-2020 season was cut short due to the pandemic.
Jason Preston official made a name for himself in an early-season matchup against Illinois. He put together a masterful performance, putting up 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. Preston’s team lost a thriller 77-75, but he put the rest of the country on notice. Led by Preston, Ohio was able to maintain their momentum throughout the season and they went on to win their conference tournament. Preston was named to the All-Tournament team and was also awarded tournament MVP.
In the NCAA Tournament, Ohio upset 4th seeded Virginia in the first round 62-58. In that game, Preston boosted his draft stock once again. He scored 11 points, added 13 rebounds, and dished out 8 assists.
Strengths
Preston’s game is very similar to Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball.
He’s is a very versatile guard. Standing at 6’4, he has the ability to play either backcourt position. He’s a creative passer that excels in the pick and roll game. He plays at his own pace and can be dangerous in the open court, passing or scoring.
Preston has a bit of an unorthodox shooting form, but he was a career 36% three-point shooter in college. For a guard, he’s a solid rebounder. He doesn’t have much strength, but he does have a near 6’8 wingspan that he uses to his advantage.
Weaknesses
Although Preston got national attention during his Junior season, he wasn’t exactly playing high-level competition during his college career. Due to this, some NBA teams may pass on him because he wasn’t playing the highest level of competition on a consistent basis.
Preston can score, but he isn’t necessarily an elite scorer, only averaging 12.6 points per game over his 3 years at Ohio. He has size, but he does not have the speed or athleticism to become a dominant scorer. His main job in college was to get his teammates involved, but in the NBA he will have to be more of a consistent scoring threat.
Defense will definitely be a challenge for Preston at the next level. He doesn’t have the best foot speed which causes him to get blown by often. His length will help him some, but he will need to improve his speed to become a worthy NBA defender.
Jason Preston’s NBA Draft Projection: Late First to Early Second Round
Preston will be a nice pickup for a team searching for a playmaker that will provide flashiness and flare. He’ll likely be a player coming off the bench for the majority of his career. For any team that drafts him, they’ll be getting someone who has proven he can make his teammates better, and add a little creativity to the game.
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