Preston talks new top five
Five-star Billy Preston recently announced a top five, adding N.C. State and Indiana in the mix along with USC, Kansas and Maryland. Although the late addition of the Hoosiers and Wolfpack might be a little surprising to some fans following his recruitment, Preston told Rivals.com that both schools have been in contact with him since the beginning and were early to offer. Indiana was at his high school (Oak Hill Academy) earlier this week along with USC and Kansas. N.C. State will stop by to see him next week.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
We caught up with Preston earlier this week to get an update on his recent list and where the two new schools stand.
Indiana – “Coach Tom Crean has always stayed in contact since day one even when they weren’t part of my earlier cut. Indiana has really made me a priority lately and I want to take the time to give them a good look.”
N.C. State – “I’ve been talking to Dennis Smith a lot lately and he’s told me about the good things they have going on in that program. Coach Mark Gottfried is just another coach that makes players better and they’re going to make some moves in the ACC this year.”
USC – “I have an official visit set there for October 8. I’m just really looking forward to getting on campus and seeing how the coaches coach in practice and the dynamic between the team.”
Kansas – “I talk to Coach (Bill) Self and Coach (Kurtis) Townsend on a regular basis. I’m taking an official visit to Kansas sometime in October and I’m looking for the same things. I’m just going to take a deeper look into the program and what the relationship is like with the team.”
Maryland – “I’ve been to Maryland a bunch of times and really like the way Coach (Mark) Turgeon develops players there. The coaching staff has always stayed in contact and a good relationship with a coach is really important to me.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Preston said he’s still trying to figure out if he’ll take his other three official visits. Right now, the 6-foot-9 power forward is focused on his senior season at Oak Hill Academy.
“The team is really coming together and we’re all working hard every day,” he said. “I’m just excited for the season to start and focusing on that.”
RIVALS REACTION
USC, Kansas and Maryland have consistently stayed in the mix from the beginning. It will be interesting to see if he decides to set any other visits after USC and Kansas. Preston is in no hurry to make a decision and is taking his time with the process. USC is the perceived leader right now, but things could change after the Kansas visit and open back up if he decides to take his other three official visits.
