Jason Preston is an American professional basketball player who currently competes for the San Diego Clippers in the NBA G League. A point guard known for his playmaking ability and court vision, Preston played three seasons of college basketball at Ohio University before entering the 2021 NBA draft. The Orlando Magic selected him with the 33rd overall pick before trading his rights to the Los Angeles Clippers. Preston has overcome significant adversity throughout his career, including missing his entire rookie season due to foot surgery and experiencing personal tragedy with the loss of his mother to lung cancer. His journey from a lightly recruited high school player to an NBA draft pick exemplifies his resilience and determination. Beyond his playing career, Preston has established himself as a basketball educator, content creator, and advocate for lung cancer awareness through his work with the American Lung Association.
Jason Preston Early Life and Background
Jason Preston was born on August 10, 1999, in Coral Springs, Florida. He grew up watching the Detroit Pistons and developed a passion for basketball at an early age. His mother, Judith Sewell, played a significant role in his life, though she passed away from lung cancer when Preston was a junior in high school. His father was absent from his life following his parents’ separation. After his mother’s death, Preston’s aunt and uncle, who were living in Jamaica, became his legal guardians. Preston remained in the United States and lived with the son of his mother’s friend while continuing his basketball career.
Preston attended William R. Boone High School in Orlando, Florida, where he played basketball and averaged just two points per game over two years. Standing approximately 6 feet tall and weighing 140 pounds out of high school, he was not heavily recruited by major college programs. He initially applied to the University of Central Florida as a regular student, planning to major in journalism, before deciding to pursue basketball full-time through the Amateur Athletic Union circuit. His breakthrough came when he posted his highlight videos to Twitter, which caught the attention of college scouts and ultimately led to scholarship offers from Ohio and Longwood.
Jason Preston College Career
Ohio Bobcats (2018–2021)
Jason Preston committed to play basketball at Ohio University, where he developed into one of the most productive point guards in the Mid-American Conference. As a freshman during the 2018–2019 season, he averaged six points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, earning MAC All-Freshman Team honors. He continued to improve during his sophomore season, posting a triple-double against Miami (Ohio) on February 8, becoming just the second player in program history to achieve that milestone. He averaged 16.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game that season, leading the MAC in assists while ranking second in the nation in that category and earning Second Team All-MAC recognition.
His junior season in 2020–2021 proved to be his most impressive campaign. On November 27, 2020, Preston recorded a career-high 31 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in a narrow 77–75 loss to eighth-ranked Illinois, a performance that drew national attention. He recorded another triple-double with 11 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds in an 85–77 victory against Ball State on January 23, 2021. The crowning achievement of his college career came when he was named MVP of the MAC tournament after leading Ohio University to the conference championship. During the NCAA tournament, he helped the 13th-seeded Bobcats achieve a stunning 62–58 upset over fourth-seeded Virginia, recording 11 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists in that victory. He averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game as a junior, earning First Team All-MAC honors. Preston declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility and later decided to remain in the draft. He eventually completed his degree at Ohio University, graduating cum laude in 2022 with a Bachelor of Sport Management and a minor in Finance.
Jason Preston Professional Career
Los Angeles Clippers (2021–2023)
Jason Preston was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic, his hometown team, and was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. On August 9, 2021, he signed a three-year rookie-scale contract with the Clippers. However, his rookie season was derailed before it began when he suffered an injury to his right foot during the preseason. On October 7, 2021, he underwent surgery to address the injury and missed the entire 2021–2022 season as a result of the procedure. This setback significantly delayed the beginning of his professional career.
Preston finally made his NBA debut on October 23, 2022, playing three minutes in a 112–95 loss to the Phoenix Suns during his second season with the organization. He appeared in 14 games during the 2022–2023 season, playing sparingly for the Clippers while also spending time with their NBA G League affiliate, the Ontario Clippers. On October 1, 2023, the Los Angeles Clippers waived Preston, ending his tenure with the organization.
Memphis Hustle and Utah Jazz (2023–2024)
Following his release from the Clippers, Preston signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on October 16, 2023, but was waived just two days later. He found his footing when he joined the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, on October 30, 2023. His strong performances with the Hustle attracted attention from NBA teams, and on January 9, 2024, he signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz. While with the Jazz, he appeared in seven games before being waived on November 22 due to a left calf strain injury. During his time with the Salt Lake City Stars, Utah’s G League affiliate, Preston emerged as a dominant guard and showcased his full potential as a playmaker.
Salt Lake City Stars Breakthrough (2024)
The 2023–2024 G League season marked a turning point in Jason Preston’s professional career as he established himself as one of the premier point guards in the NBA G League. In March 2024, he was named G League Player of the Week after averaging 23.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 13.0 assists per game while shooting 54.0 percent from the field during a 3–0 week for the Salt Lake City Stars. The following month, he earned Kia NBA G League Player of the Month honors for March 2024 after averaging 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 11.8 assists while leading his team on an impressive 11-game winning streak. His dominant playmaking ability and consistency earned him All-NBA G League First Team honors for the 2023–2024 season. He also led the entire NBA G League in assists during that season, establishing himself as the assists leader and solidifying his reputation as an elite floor general.
San Diego Clippers (2025–Present)
Jason Preston joined the San Diego Clippers organization in 2025. On August 12, 2025, he signed a training camp deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, seeking to earn a spot on their NBA roster. However, he was waived by the Clippers on October 18, 2025, and subsequently joined the San Diego Clippers, the organization’s NBA G League affiliate. This move allowed him to continue developing his game and pursuing his goal of returning to NBA competition while playing meaningful minutes in the G League.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jason Preston is primarily known as a point guard with exceptional court vision and playmaking ability. His greatest strength lies in his passing, as evidenced by his assist numbers at both the college and professional levels. He possesses the basketball intelligence to run an offense effectively and has shown the ability to score when needed, as demonstrated by his career-high 31-point performance against Illinois during his college career. His experience at Ohio University, where he led the MAC in assists and ranked among the national leaders, translated well to his professional career. He has demonstrated versatility by contributing in multiple statistical categories, recording multiple triple-doubles throughout his career. His size for a point guard at 6’3″ allows him to see over defenders and make plays that smaller guards cannot.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several defining moments have shaped Jason Preston’s basketball journey. His triple-double performance against Miami (Ohio) during his sophomore year of college marked him as a special talent and put him on the radar of NBA scouts. The national attention he received following his 31-point performance against eighth-ranked Illinois validated his ability to compete against top-level competition. His role in leading Ohio University to the MAC tournament championship and their upset victory over Virginia in the NCAA tournament showcased his ability to perform in pressure situations. On a personal note, he was featured in an AT&T commercial in April 2023 that chronicled his difficult upbringing and his mother’s illness, bringing his inspirational story to a wider audience. His G League MVP performances in March 2024 represented his emergence as a professional and validated his persistence through injuries and roster changes.
Jason Preston Career Highlights
Jason Preston has accumulated notable achievements throughout his basketball career at both the college and professional levels. His college career at Ohio University was highlighted by conference honors and tournament success, while his professional career reached a significant milestone with his G League honors in 2024. He has demonstrated consistent ability to stuff the stat sheet and impact games in multiple ways throughout his career.
Professional Achievements
At the professional level, Preston’s most significant accomplishments came during the 2023–2024 G League season with the Salt Lake City Stars. He earned All-NBA G League First Team honors and was named the NBA G League assists leader for that season. His G League Player of the Week award in March 2024 and Kia NBA G League Player of the Month recognition for March 2024 highlighted his dominant play during that period. These achievements represented the culmination of his professional development following the injury setbacks that plagued his early career.
College Honors
In college, Preston’s honors included MAC tournament MVP in 2021, First Team All-MAC in 2021, Second Team All-MAC in 2020, and MAC All-Freshman Team recognition in 2019. He led Ohio University to the 2021 MAC championship and was instrumental in their historic NCAA tournament victory over Virginia. His college statistics reflected his all-around game, with particularly impressive assist numbers that foreshadowed his professional success.
Jason Preston Personal Life
Jason Preston has navigated significant personal challenges throughout his life with resilience and grace. His mother, Judith Sewell, died of lung cancer when he was a junior in high school. She was born and raised in Jamaica, and Preston’s family still resides there. Following her death, his aunt and uncle from Jamaica became his legal guardians, though he continued living in the United States. Preston is a Christian and has spoken about his faith providing him strength during difficult times. He grew up watching the Detroit Pistons and even wrote about the team for online publications during his younger years.
In July 2024, Preston married his college sweetheart Micaylah Nash, now known as Micaylah Preston, at an intimate destination wedding at Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The ceremony was attended by 60 guests and was covered by The Knot wedding publication. In a gesture reflecting his commitment to honoring his mother’s memory, the couple requested donations to the American Lung Association in lieu of wedding gifts. This decision aligned their personal milestone with Preston’s ongoing mission to raise awareness about lung cancer, which claimed his mother’s life.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Jason Preston has dedicated significant time and resources to lung cancer awareness following his mother’s death from the disease. He serves as an ambassador for the American Lung Association and has partnered with his alma mater, Ohio University, annually since 2022 for Lung Cancer Awareness Month. These initiatives have included providing the basketball team with white shoes, the color representing lung cancer awareness, and helping produce public service announcements about lung cancer prevention and early detection. In 2022 while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, he honored his late mother by wearing specially designed “KD Aunt Pearl” shoes in all games and practices. In 2023, he joined the American Lung Association’s Ambassador Council to further advocate for lung health and honor his mother’s memory. His wedding in 2024 also featured a request for donations to the American Lung Association, continuing to tie his personal milestones to his philanthropic mission.
Content Creation and Basketball Education
Beyond his on-court career, Jason Preston has established a significant presence as a basketball educator and content creator. He regularly posts tutorial videos on YouTube and social media platforms, breaking down game film, dribbling techniques, and point-guard decision-making from an NBA player’s perspective. His content is designed to provide free access to training and basketball insight, particularly for young athletes who may lack resources for professional instruction. This educational outreach reflects both his commitment to giving back to the basketball community and his understanding of the importance of building a brand beyond his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Jason Preston’s professional journey as he joins the San Diego Clippers following his time with the Salt Lake City Stars. After his breakout G League season in 2024 that earned him First Team honors and recognition as the league’s assists leader, Preston sought to secure a more stable role in professional basketball. His training camp deal with the Los Angeles Clippers in August 2025 represented an opportunity to compete for an NBA roster spot, though he was ultimately waived before the regular season. His transition to the San Diego Clippers provides him with a platform to continue showcasing his abilities as a floor general and playmaker while working toward his ultimate goal of returning to NBA competition. The experience gained from playing for multiple organizations and overcoming adversity throughout his career has shaped him into a resilient professional who understands the business side of basketball while maintaining his love for the game.