From Blogger to NBA Player: The Inspiring Journey of Jason Preston

Jason Preston’s path to the NBA is a testament to perseverance, grit, and the belief that no dream is too far-fetched. While many NBA players take the conventional route through high school dominance and college scholarships, Preston’s journey was anything but typical. His story is one of personal tragedy, self-discovery, and the relentless pursuit of a dream that seemed out of reach for much of his early life.

Early Struggles and Tragedy

Jason Preston’s basketball journey began with heartbreak. As a high school junior, his mother passed away from cancer, a devastating loss that reshaped his life. To cope with his grief, Preston immersed himself in basketball, moving in with a teammate to continue playing the sport he loved. However, his physical attributes at the time weren’t enough to make him a standout player. At 6 feet tall and weighing only 140 pounds, Preston was far from the typical NBA prospect.

To make matters worse, his high school coach wasn’t a fan of Preston’s playstyle. Despite his potential, Preston spent most of his senior year on the bench, averaging just two points per game. His only start came as a symbolic gesture on senior day, a tradition where coaches often let underused players take the court for a final time.

The Blogger Phase

While basketball wasn’t working out as Preston had hoped, his love for the game remained strong. This passion led him to an unexpected outlet—blogging. A devoted fan of the Detroit Pistons, Preston reached out to PistonsPower.com, a fan site dedicated to his favorite team. The editor initially rejected him due to his young age, but undeterred, Preston tried again on his birthday and was given a chance to write for the site.

Preston’s first article was about which Pistons player would improve the most in the upcoming season, and from there, his love for writing about basketball blossomed. Though he was no longer excelling on the court, blogging allowed him to stay connected to the game. Writing detailed game recaps and player analysis became his new passion.

After high school, Preston enrolled at the University of Central Florida (UCF), majoring in journalism with hopes of working for ESPN one day. It seemed his path was set, but fate had other plans.

The Turning Point: AAU and Prep School

In a twist of fate, Preston’s basketball dream was rekindled when a friend invited him to play in an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournament in Georgia. At the time, Preston was far from an elite player, but he jumped at the opportunity. Remarkably, he almost forgot his basketball shoes before the trip, and Preston admits that had he left them behind, he may never have played in the tournament, a small but pivotal moment in his journey.

Preston’s performance at the tournament caught the eye of a coach who believed he had the potential to play Division I basketball. There was only one problem: the coach’s school had no available scholarships. However, the confidence boost from the coach led Preston to take a bold step—he dropped out of UCF and enrolled at Believe Prep Academy in Tennessee, a post-graduate basketball program. It was a gamble, as he risked falling behind academically with no guarantee of success.

Developing His Game

Preston’s time at Believe Prep was both challenging and transformative. Initially placed on the A-team, he was soon demoted to the C-team, in part because of his unconventional playstyle. Preston’s nickname was “Melo” due to his resemblance to LaMelo Ball, both in appearance and on-court creativity. Like LaMelo, Preston was a flashy point guard known for his jump passes, a risky move that most coaches frown upon. Traditional coaches prefer players to make jump stops, but Preston’s instincts were different.

Despite the setbacks, Preston continued to refine his game and shared his progress by posting highlights on Twitter. This self-promotion led to two Division I offers—from Ohio University and Longwood University. Ultimately, Preston chose Ohio, but his journey was far from over.

Breakout at Ohio University

As a freshman at Ohio University, Preston was still raw, averaging just six points per game. However, the following summer, he underwent a transformation. Preston added 20 pounds of muscle, bringing his height and weight to a solid 6’4″, 190 pounds. With injuries plaguing Ohio’s roster, Preston seized the opportunity to shine.

His sophomore year was a turning point. In the first game of the season, Preston recorded 13 assists in a road win, followed by a 27-point performance just days later. By the end of the season, he led all sophomores nationwide with 7.4 assists per game. His junior year saw him continue to excel, leading Ohio to a stunning upset over powerhouse Virginia in the NCAA Tournament.

The NBA Dream Comes True

Preston’s success at Ohio caught the attention of NBA scouts. Although he wasn’t as highly touted as LaMelo Ball or Tyrese Haliburton, his unique playstyle and court vision made him a prospect worth considering. In the 2021 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Preston early in the second round.

However, Preston’s NBA journey didn’t start smoothly. Before he could take the court alongside stars like Reggie Jackson, one of the very players he had blogged about, Preston suffered a foot injury that required surgery, sidelining him for his rookie season.

A New Chapter with the Utah Jazz

After spending most of his time in the G-League, Preston’s NBA future looked uncertain. Despite signing a multi-year deal with the Clippers, the team cut him before the start of the 2022 season. But Preston wasn’t ready to give up. He joined the Utah Jazz’s G-League affiliate, where he found new life.

In the G-League, Preston led the league in triple-doubles, including an impressive five triple-doubles in March alone. His outstanding performance helped the Jazz’s G-League team turn their season around, winning 11 straight games and making the playoffs. Part of Preston’s improvement came from correcting his literal vision—after playing his entire life with blurry eyesight, he finally underwent LASIK surgery, allowing him to see the court more clearly.

Preston’s G-League success earned him a spot on the Jazz’s summer league roster, and though the team cut several players, they kept him, recognizing his potential. With the Jazz expected to struggle in the upcoming season, especially if they trade key players like Lauri Markkanen, Preston may have the opportunity to carve out a meaningful role on the team.

Conclusion: A Story of Perseverance

Jason Preston’s journey from high school benchwarmer to NBA player is a remarkable tale of perseverance. His path was far from conventional, filled with setbacks and uncertainty. Yet, Preston’s love for the game, whether through blogging or playing, never wavered. His story serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem.