KU Basketball Recruiting: Billy Preston Still Interested in Jayhawks

KU basketball recruiting efforts still have the Jayhawks in on forward Billy Preston for the 2017 recruiting class.

Bill Self and his KU basketball recruiting efforts still have a chance to land one of the top forwards in the country in Billy Preston.

Kansas will be losing at least one big man after this season, so Self does have a whole to fill.

In a recent interview with Adam Zagoria of Zag’s Blog, top recruit Preston has the Kansas Jayhawks on his list of five school options.

"…Preston is considering Syracuse, Kansas, Indiana, USC and Kentucky…"

The Jayhawks have at least three scholarships to hand out for next season and could have as many as six, depending on who might declare early for the 2017 NBA Draft.

Kansas has already given out one of those three to combo guard Marcus Garrett, according to KUSports.com.

That leaves two spots for sure, and more than likely, three more. Freshman Josh Jackson is widely considered a one-and-done player for Kansas.

Scout.com has the 6’10”, 230-pound forward ranked as the 16th best prospect in this class. Rival.com has him ranked eighth!

ESPN offered up this scouting report on the talented youngster:

"Preston is one of the elite players in the country due to his size, skill, and overall talent. He is a hybrid 4-man who affects the game with his scoring prowess. He handles the ball well in the open court and can hand out the nifty assist on occasion."

Billy Preston is most likely to go to USC, according to the 247 Sports Crystal Ball. They have the Trojans sitting at an 85 percent chance at snagging the forward and Kansas with just an eight percent chance.

Landen Lucas will use up his final year of eligibility this season and will leave a void in the Jayhawks’ front line. Preston might be a good fit to replace him.

Kansas should be well-stocked regardless of if Preston signs with the Jayhawks. Carlton Bragg Jr will most likely start this season as a sophomore.

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A great year, though, from the high energy big man could vault him into a high draft position, and there is a chance he may not be back.

That still leaves Dwight Coleby as a senior next year, and Udoke Azubuike and Mitch Lightfoot will most certainly return for the sophomore seasons.

Evan Maxwell, a transfer from Liberty will be on the active roster as well. Still, there will be minutes available for the right big man.

Interestingly enough, Preston’s prep teammate, Matt Coleman told Zag’s Blog Kansas was recruiting Coleman and Preston as a package.

"As for Kansas, “I hear from them every now and then. They hope to get me and Billy [Preston] there as a package deal, so we’ll see how that goes. We could shock the world.”"

Whether the KU basketball program has three scholarships, or six, or something in between for next year, head coach Bill Self will surely find the right guys for his program.

Next: Ranking the All-Time KU Head Coaches

The Kansas Jayhawks will start their season shortly but the KU basketball recruiting rumors will still be flying. KU has a chance to reel in Billy Preston. If they do so, their frontline could formidable again next season.

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