Blast from KU past: Billy Preston speaks to KC Star about playing for Jayhawks in TBT

Billy Preston, who played in a handful of men’s basketball exhibition games, but no regular-season contests during his one season (2017-18) at Kansas, is pleased former Jayhawk guard Tyshawn Taylor remembered him when putting together a roster for KU’s alumni entry in the 2024 TBT.

“I got the call from Tyshawn (and) I said, ‘Absolutely I’ll play.’ Why not go play with former alumni and former teammates and compete to try and win the whole thing?” Preston, a 6-foot-9, 215-pound, 26-year-old power forward from Santa Ana, California, said Tuesday afternoon in a phone interview with The Star.

McDonald’s All-American Preston and fellow ‘17-18 KU teammates Dedric Lawson, Lagerald Vick, Sam Cunliffe and Silvio De Sousa are on the Jayhawks’ TBT roster, plus former KU players Frank Mason III, Jamari Traylor, Kevin Young, Brandon Rush and Ben McLemore as well as non-KU affiliated players Travis Washington (Utah State) and Chandler Lawson (Arkansas).

Former KU forward Thomas Robinson remained on the roster Tuesday after telling The Star earlier this week he’d be unavailable while competing in the playoffs in Puerto Rico’s pro league.

“It will be good to see all my guys. I’m looking forward to reuniting with them again,” stated Preston. His only appearances as a Jayhawk during a season marred by an NCAA investigation that involved Preston’s recruitment, included an exhibition game against Missouri, four games on a KU tour of Italy and two games versus Div. II teams at Allen Fieldhouse in 2017-18.

He recently returned to his home in Los Angeles after playing for a team in Canada’s professional league during the 2023-24 season. He’s not yet signed with a team for the 2024-25 campaign.

“The TBT is a good tournament. All the games are televised (or streamed),” Preston said, noting one benefit of playing is being seen by NBA and international scouts.

“It’ll definitely help that I’ve already got a name, sort of a brand in the basketball industry. Playing overseas these past couple years and just getting this opportunity to show my ability on TV, it’ll definitely help me. You don’t know where it will land me but it’ll be a positive thing, probably give me a better job overseas (or) a foot back in the league (NBA). You never know. I’m praying. I’m open to all opportunities. I definitely think it’ll help me though.”

Preston since leaving KU amid the NCAA investigation — which started in 2018 and stretched years beyond — has played in the NBA G League, plus leagues in Bosnia, Australia, the Dominican Republic and Canada.

He said so far his favorite stop was playing for a team in Cape Town, South Africa.

“I’m a versatile player. If I had to describe it, I’d describe it (his game) — it’s more like a Paul George type-game,” Preston said. “That’s kind of who I like. I model my game after Paul George, after K.D. (Kevin Durant). The main thing is I’m a player who is out there to win and show I’m a hard worker.

“One thing I want to show (in TBT, which starts for KU with a game against Colorado State’s all-star team at 7 p.m. Saturday at Koch Arena in Wichita) is my defensive ability, because I know I can guard a lot of positions. Whatever my role is, the main thing is to help the team win.”

He realizes KU’s team, named “Mass Street” for a second-straight season, will need to own the boards during TBT action.

“I feel I can contribute at the 4 area, maybe the 3 some, but we’ve got guys like Silvio De Sousa (6-9, 250) too. If T-Rob (Robinson) is not there I’ll probably contribute more minutes in his spot,” Preston said.

The Mass Street team will be led by national player of the year Mason, one of the most accomplished guards in KU history.

“It’s more than just (him) feeding me the ball. It’s like, ‘Feed me the ball. You score the ball.’ I’m super pumped he’s playing,” Preston said, adding, “I wasn’t able to play with him at KU. He was a year before me, but I have played with Frank in camps and in open gym. I’m definitely aware of his game, and know what he’s capable of.”

Preston said despite his short stay at KU he will always consider himself a Jayhawk. He stays in touch with KU’s coaches and some of his former teammates.

“I definitely talk to Coach T (Kurtis Townsend). I text coach (Bill) Self. I think I last spoke with him (Self) after they won the natty,” Preston said of the 2022 NCAA title. “I actually talk to the point guard for KU quite often on Instagram,” Preston added of Dajuan Harris. “That’s my little bro. I still love KU fans. They treated me well when I was there. Ever since I left I root for KU. I root for KU every year. I still wear KU gear in my workouts and represent wherever I can.”

As far as the NCAA case which involved Preston and De Sousa both, Preston said, “I look at that as something in the past,” and that he won’t be discussing that part of his KU experience during his stint in the TBT.

He said he’s eager to continue on with his pro career hopefully after winning the TBT with the KU squad.

“I’m in shape. I’ve been working in the lab on my game 24/7,” Preston said. Everything right now is going well. I have no complaints about anything going on right now.”

The KU alumni TBT team (Mass Street) has an exhibition game against Kansas State’s alums (Purple Reign) set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Johnson County Community College. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.