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MAC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Nov 27, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Ohio Bobcats guard Jason Preston (0) controls the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) during the first half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Ohio Bobcats guard Jason Preston (0) controls the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) during the first half at the State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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MAC Basketball Ohio Bobcats guard Jason Preston Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
MAC Basketball Ohio Bobcats guard Jason Preston Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jason Preston

A 6’4 point guard from Orlando, Florida, Preston was an underrated prospect who developed into a star after landing at Ohio. He joined the Bobcats in 2018 and really came into his own in his sophomore and junior years under new head coach Jeff Boals.

Preston was a decent contributor in his freshman season, but his star was truly born after that. As a sophomore, he averaged 16.8 points and 7.4 assists and had a triple-double against Miami-Ohio in early February. Preston had another triple-double during his junior season and similar figures, but more importantly, led the Bobcats to the MAC Tournament title. He had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists in their Tourney upset over Virginia, ending his career as a junior in the Big Dance.

He was among the nation’s leaders in assists as a sophomore and would earn First Team All-MAC honors as a junior. Preston sat among the MAC’s leaders in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, and developed into a total package with the Bobcats. Once a prospect with no revere, he was named MAC Tournament MVP and was selected in the 2021 NBA Draft just a few months later.