KU Basketball Recruiting Rumors: Billy Preston Includes Jayhawks on List
College recruiting never ends and the KU basketball recruiting efforts aim not just for the next season, but even beyond.
The Kansas Jayhawks have made the early, initial list of recruit Billy Preston, who will be a senior in high school next season. The Jayhawks are one of thirteen schools Preston listed on Twitter.
At 6’10, 230 pounds Preston is a force to be reckoned with. Though the 2017 recruit has recently cut his list to thirteen schools, he will probably not decide anytime soon. According to 247 Sports, he is ranked 7th overall in the 2017 class but could rise up the charts in the next year.
Preston offers so much to the table with his ability create his own shots, and he shoots the midrange jump shot as well as the three-pointer. He has the talent to play his game depending on his defender, if big and slow he can spot up and shoot the jumper and if small and quick he can use his big frame to work inside for a layup or slam.
Draft Express offers up this early scouting report on Preston:
"Strengths:-Good physical profile for a power forward. 6-9 without shoes. 7-1 wingspan. Strong 233-pound frame. Smooth athlete-Extremely high skill-level for a big man. Terrific scoring instincts-Can create his own shot from the perimeter with strong ball-handling skills and excellent footwork. Strong first step. Draws quite a few fouls-Effective scorer out of isolation situations. Can even play some pick and roll as the ball-handler-Has range out to 3-point line. Can make shots with feet set and off the dribble-Career 31/78 (40%) 3P% in 40 games and 68% from the free throw line-Has great touch around the basket. Throws in smooth floaters from different parts of the paintWeaknesses:-Wants to play strictly facing the basket. Has the ability to score in the post but doesn’t show the inclination to do so-Not an efficient offensive player. Career 132/275 (48%) from 2-point range.-A ball-stopper offensively. Receives passes in the high post and then proceeds to dribble the air out of the ball, usually ending with a contested pull-up jumper (which sometimes goes in)-Career 1/2 assist to turnover ratio.-Shows very poor effort defensively. Operates at half speed. Doesn’t box out for rebounds. Not a rim protector-Doesn’t have great lateral quickness defensively-Very old for his class. Will be 20 by the time he plays his first college game"
Another upside is his ability to play all three positions at the three, four, and five spots because of his athleticism and height. Out of Texas, he will be playing against other top recruits and good competition, as well as playing in tournaments nationwide as part of the Grind Session.
"Out of 29 schools, I have decided to cut it down to 13! Thank you to all the schools recruiting me thus far"
In his next two years, he can develop into more of a big man and grow as a player before he goes to college.
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Preston’s recruitment could go in various ways as there is no legitimate leader yet. At this point Kansas, Arizona, USC, and Maryland look like the leaders and have been heavily involved in his recruitment. 247 Sports has
247 Sports has Arizona as the early favorite for Preston, with Kansas in second.
Preston’s high school teammate guard, Trevon Duval, is also being recruited by the Jayhawks. Duval is currently the third-rated player in the 2017 class. Maybe Self is hoping for a package deal with these to youngsters.
The forward would fit perfectly in Kansas system under head coach Bill Self because of his ability to play multiple positions. Self has a history of developing big men ready to play in the NBA, and that could be exactly what Preston needs.
The Jayhawks are also in on Duval, which could fulfill the package deal, which could be a boon for that recruiting class if Self can ink both players.
Although he could be a one and done player, Billy Preston could be a big centerpiece for the Kansas Jayhawks to compete for a national championship in 2017.
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