Kansas basketball: Billy Preston is still sitting

Former Kansas basketball player Billy Preston attended last week’s NBA Draft Combine. Preston made a mistake by skipping the games.

The Billy Preston show ended before it ever started for Kansas basketball. He never played an official game at Allen Fieldhouse. He should have played in the five on five competition at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.  According to Alex Schiffer in the Kansas City Star, Preston’s agent told him playing might hurt his stock in the draft.  I could not believe what I read.

A year ago, Kansas basketball fans could not wait to see the talented Preston in Crimson and Blue. He started two games for Bill Self during the Jayhawks trip to Italy. He had a few health issues during the trip that limited him to an average of 7 points and 4 rebounds in the two victories.

Preston’s most memorable performance for Kansas basketball came in the Showdown for Relief win. He contributed 12 points in 15 minutes on 4-5 shooting during the Sprint Center fundraiser. He had some foul trouble during the game but fans were excited to see what he would bring to the regular season.

As a matter of fact, the waiting never ended and Preston never played because of the mysterious car. On January 20, he abruptly decided to leave Lawrence for to play on a professional team in Bosnia. That was a waste of time. According to the team, he played a couple of games, injured a shoulder and returned to the United States.  We did see him at the final four. He was near the Jayhawks but still sitting.

Get on the court Billy!

Kansas basketball fans are tired of watching him sit. I was surprised Preston received an NBA Draft Combine invite instead of Lagerald Vick.  On the other hand, I thought Jayhawk fans would get to see him on the basketball court again in Chicago. This was his big chance.  Unfortunately, no. His agent advised him to sit?

Next: KU must learn from the past in hiring new AD

I was disappointed. The young man needs to get on the court and show us what he can do.  I understand the agent but at some point we just want to watch Preston play.  I’m sure he wants to show the rest of us what the Jayhawk players saw every day in practice. He missed a huge opportunity in Chicago. I hope it works out for him on draft day.