Jason Preston ingrained his story into the floorboards of The Convo with three years of excellence. In 82 games with Ohio, Preston earned two All-Mid-American Conference selections, a MAC Tournament MVP and has his name all over Ohio’s record book. However, Preston’s passion for basketball extends far beyond the court.
It’s easy to forget Preston was once a sports blogger for a Detroit Pistons- focused blog titled Piston Powered. Preston worked on the blog for just six months in 2016-17, but the foray into media was a sign of things to come.
Recently, Preston has begun contributing as a broadcaster for Ohio, returning to Athens occasionally to call games. The homecoming in itself has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for Preston.
“It was awesome (returning to Athens). I got to see so many people I’ve grown to love and grown great relationships with,” Preston said. “Seeing a lot of players and coaches, even some of the fans when I was there. It was awesome, they’re all so very receptive.”
Although Preston’s passion for basketball media is evident, and something he plans to pursue, getting back on the court is what’s on the front of the Orlando native’s mind.
After leading fifth-seeded Ohio to a MAC Championship and an upset over Virginia in the NCAA Tournament, Preston’s first year in the NBA was marked by a pre-season ankle injury that caused him to miss the entire season. Once healthy, he spent time bouncing between the NBA and G-League.
“I’d never had a significant injury, so I’m thinking, ‘I just tweaked my ankle or something,’ but I end up going to the doctor, and they say I’m going to be out the whole year,” Preston said. “But afterward, I began to sit back and reflect and really appreciate the time that I had … it was definitely a learning experience and I’m happy things went the way they did.”
In the short term, Preston’s goal is to make a return to professional basketball. The 6-foot-4 point guard led the G-League in triple-doubles last year. Currently out for what would have been his third season, Preston continues to find the bright side of something as dark as injury.
“Playing is definitely something I’m still pursuing but this time I also want to pursue a lot of other basketball interests, kind of similar to what I had going on in high school,” Preston said. “I’m just looking at basketball through a different lens and exploring all the different avenues I can explore during this time.”
Preston is currently rehabbing a second season-ending injury with physical therapists at Ohio State, giving him time to explore the other areas of his passion for basketball. After giving it a test drive, Preston is confident basketball media is an area he wants to continue to explore in the future.
“I really like the space to just talk truly about the game,” Preston said. “It’s cool seeing the different dynamics of me being a player and seeing how broadcasters prepare, and everything they have to do heading into games, everything they have to know.”
After two season-ending injuries in just four years, it’s hard to imagine a lot of players would be able to look at their situation through the lens of positivity Preston has been able to. However, Preston knows being on the court is not the only way he can make his impact felt and story known.
“I really like having the platform (in broadcasting) to educate people as they watch, and give a perspective that many people might not see,” Preston said.
Preston has been using media, whether it be writing or social media, to explore his passion long before his broadcasting with Ohio this season. While at Boone High School in Orlando, Preston famously shared his highlights on X. Had he not, he may not have made it to the floor of The Convo or college basketball in general.
Through media like broadcast, Preston has been able to fully explore his passion for basketball, using the platform to share his knowledge and passion for the game. While he waits on his return to the floor, Preston is getting even closer to the game he loves.
