In high school, Jason Preston was the kind of player scouts rarely noticed. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 140 pounds, he averaged only two points as a senior at Boone High in Orlando. “I might be the worst high school basketball coach in this country. Sometimes I even play in my head – maybe I should have played him more. But God has a plan for all of us. And that was Jason’s plan,” Boone’s David Martinson once joked back in 2020, still wondering if he should’ve given Preston more minutes.
Basketball wasn’t even the plan after graduation. Preston enrolled at the University of Central Florida to study journalism, aiming to write about the sport instead of playing it. But then came the invite that changed everything: a friend’s AAU team needed an extra player. That weekend, Preston’s passing and court vision caught the attention of Believe Prep Academy’s coaches in Tennessee.
At Believe, he wasn’t just another player. “From Day 1, he was the best point guard in our building,” recalled Jackie Green, the academy’s executive director. Preston made highlight plays, earned the nickname “Melo” from teammates, and turned himself into a Division I prospect. A Twitter mixtape sealed the deal, landing him at Ohio University. Ohio became the stage for Preston’s breakout. As a junior, he averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, guiding the Bobcats to a MAC championship and a stunning NCAA Tournament upset over Virginia.
Boals called him “a phenomenal person and great teammate,” praising the poise and vision that made him a draft target. In 2021, the Clippers picked Preston 33rd overall. Despite missing his rookie season due to injury, he’s since shone in the G League and earned a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz. For someone once overlooked, his journey feels like a story still being written, and the next chapter might be his best yet. But while his future remains promising, his past cannot be overlooked. After all, it was those experiences that helped shape him.
Who was Jason Preston’s mother, Judith Sewell, and what was her influence on his life?
Judith Sewell’s role in Jason Preston’s life was more than just being a mother; she was his biggest fan, a companion, providing guidance and support as his hoop dreams took shape. The two shared countless evenings watching NBA games, breaking down plays, and talking about the sport they both loved. Preston has often recalled how those moments shaped his understanding of basketball and gave him a deep appreciation for the game’s nuances. He has even claimed that he has studied all of LeBron James and Chris Paul’s clips!
She grew up a Detroit Pistons fan and was the one who first placed a basketball in his hands, gifting him a hoop when he was little. “We’d always watch sports at home. Mostly basketball, but also tennis, football, baseball, soccer,” Preston recalled. “We were always doing something with each other.” It was Judith who instilled in him the love of the game that would later shape his life.
Mar 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio Bobcats forward Ben Roderick (3) celebrates with guard Jason Preston (0) his basket scored against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
When he was 11, Judith was diagnosed with lung cancer. She tried to shield him from the worst of her treatments, but Preston could see her struggling. “Every day was a battle. Even though she wouldn’t say it, I could see it. To know she’s in a better place, that’s comforting for me,” he said. She passed away when he was just 15, a loss that left him leaning on faith, friends, and family to push through.
Judith’s passing also gave Preston a perspective many players his age didn’t have. He learned not to dwell on life’s small frustrations, understanding that bigger challenges often put things into focus. Even now, he believes she is in a better place, watching his journey from above.
Losing her during such a formative time forced Preston to mature quickly. Yet, instead of breaking him, it fueled his determination to succeed not just for himself, but for the woman who believed in him long before anyone else did. Her influence remains visible every time he steps onto the court, carrying both her memory and the lessons she left behind.
What is known about Jason Preston’s father and his role in his upbringing?
While Preston’s mother played a central role in his life, his father was absent from the beginning. There are no public accounts of him being present during Jason’s childhood, nor of him contributing to his basketball development. That absence meant Preston grew up without the traditional support many young athletes receive from both parents.
In interviews, Preston has never dwelled on the subject, choosing instead to focus on the people who were there for him. Still, the lack of a father figure added another layer of adversity to his upbringing. Navigating high school, academics, and competitive basketball without that additional parental guidance wasn’t easy, but it became part of what made his story remarkable. As Lopresti pointed out in an NCAA.com article, “Some athletes take the fast lane, but Jason traveled the long way around, and there can’t be many other players in Division I who value the chance to play more than he.”
The absence also gave Preston a deeper appreciation for the relationships he did have. Friends, coaches, and mentors became the figures he leaned on for advice and encouragement. This support network helped fill the void and kept him grounded during difficult periods. While his father’s absence is part of his story, it is not the part that defines him.
Who became Jason Preston’s guardians after his mother’s death, and how did they support his journey?
After his mother’s passing, Preston’s aunt and cousin, Justin Morgan, moved from Jamaica to Orlando to help care for him. That change also fueled his passion for basketball. The two spent countless hours together on the court, whether at the park or in gyms around the city.
Mar 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio Bobcats guard Jason Preston (0) celebrates the victory against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
“Ever since he was little, Jason always had a passion and drive for basketball,” Justin recalls. “We would go to LA Fitness, him and his friends would play there for hours and dominate. We would always win with him on the team.” Those friendly but competitive runs built not just Preston’s skills, but also his confidence in the game.
Still, despite his dedication, Preston couldn’t picture himself starring at the collegiate level. As a high school senior at Boone (FL) High School, he was barely 6 feet tall and weighed around 140 pounds. He started just one game on Senior Day and averaged only 2 points per game that season.
With no college offers in sight, he planned to move on from organized basketball entirely. He had already enrolled at the University of Central Florida, ready to focus on a journalism degree. But sometimes, stories have a way of writing themselves. His journey was far from over, and the passion that Justin saw in him as a kid was about to lead him somewhere unexpected.
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