Billy Preston entered the national spotlight as a five‑star recruit for the Kansas Jayhawks, a prospect whose college debut was halted by an NCAA investigation that kept him off the court for his entire freshman season.
Instead of a traditional college schedule, Preston turned to the summer circuit, joining Ice Cube’s BIG3 league before receiving a last‑minute invitation to play in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) for the JHX Hoops squad, arriving just a day before the event’s opening game.
A Late‑Season Spark
On the court, his length and athleticism translated into immediate impact; he scored 18 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and repeatedly altered shots and contested boards, helping JHX erase a deficit against the K‑State alumni team.
The contest ended in an 84‑80 victory for JHX, a result that underscored Preston’s ability to thrive in a high‑stakes environment and offered a glimpse of the production he might have delivered at Kansas.
Head coach Sherron Collins later described Preston as a “matchup problem,” while former Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor praised his talent, noting that the forward “could have been an NBA professional” had circumstances aligned.
Preston closed the game with a modest expression of gratitude, thanking fans for their support and reflecting on the opportunity to finally showcase his abilities after months of uncertainty.