KU Basketball: Billy Preston will shine as a Jayhawk
Billy Preston is one of the more promising freshman to enter college basketball this upcoming season. Standing 6’10” tall and weighing 230 pounds, Billy Preston will have the size advantage at the four position more often than not. This should help him grab rebounds and finish strong at the rim.
Last season, KU basketball played a lot of guard-centric basketball. Bill Self had the backcourt talent to do this. Then again, it also speaks for the the team’s lack of explosiveness inside. Udoka’s season was cut short due to injury. Back to being healthy, “Dok” will need a strong presence at the four position to complement him. This is exactly what Billy Preston offers.
Billy Preston: ready for College basketball
Scoring at over 15 points per game, Preston also grabbed 10.4 rebounds every game, during his final season with the Oak Hill Academy. As a matter of fact, the stats show
he is capable of stretching the floor with his 3-point shooting.
In the first place, it will be difficult for opponents to double team Udoka inside and risk giving Preston room to work. Preston’s style of play should compliment Udoka and will cause opposition coaches many headaches. On the other hand, Preston’s game does have room for improvement.
Room for improvement
At 66 percent, his free throw shooting needs attention. Reliability at the free throw line will allow him to attract more fouls. In the event that Preston is targeting NBA after his freshman season. However, at this given moment it is far from a guarantee. He will also benefit from the strength and conditioning coaching at KU.
Projections for upcoming year
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Kansas basketball fans may see a lot of the high-low action, Bill Self loves to play if he has capable interior presence. Lots of highlight reel putbacks and dunks will punctuate the season for the Jayhawks. Add that to the lethal backcourt KU will have on the floor each night and the Jayhawks are serious final four contenders and Billy Preston is a major factor. I can’t wait to see him in action on the Jayhawk trip to Italy in a few days.