API is on a mission. After a mediocre 13-7 start to the season, Advanced Preparatory International (Dallas, TX) has caught fire, winning 17 straight games and placing themselves among high school basketball’s elite. Leading the way for API is Junior Billy Preston. The 6’10” Power Forward is dominating the high school circuit and is already being compared to NBA great Lebron James due to his ability to overpower defenders while also having guard-like ball handling skills. In fact, James was one of Preston’s biggest influences in starting to play basketball at the age of 10 or 11 after being introduced to the game by his godmother, Timicha Kirby. “Before I got into basketball, I was probably influenced most by my god mom because she got me into the NBA. Once I started watching the NBA a little more, it became guys like Lebron [James], Kobe [Bryant], [Michael] Jordan, and all the guys like that,” Preston said. “When I got to high school, I started watching guys like Stanley Johnson, so those are two players that I try to model my game after, Lebron and Stanley.”

 

Once Preston developed a passion for the game of basketball, there was nothing that could stop him from becoming one of the best players in the country - no matter where he was playing. Originally from California, Preston has been all over. He started his high school career at St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA), then moved to Texas, joining Prime Prep (Dallas, TX). Moving wasn’t easy for Preston, as he said, “Moving from California to Texas has been a major obstacle,” However, once he got settled at Prime Prep he was able to form a dominant trio with his current teammates, Terrance Ferguson and Mark Vital. The three formed a bond that has lasted throughout high school before the closing of the school in January of 2015. When Prime Prep closed last year, the trio knew that they needed to continue playing together, so when a new school called Advanced Preparatory International was opened, they knew that this was their chance. Joining the trio at API was five-star point guard Trevon Duval. “It’s great,” Preston stated. “Especially with the players that we have: Tre (Trevon Duval), Ferg (Terrance Ferguson), Mark (Vital), Nysier (Brooks), and bench players that are good too. It’s great, going to places that we usually wouldn’t go to on our regular schedule. Going to all these places is good and when we get there we need to get W’s. I think that we are starting to collaborate with each other and we’re starting to win.” Described the API junior.

 

Standing at 6’10”, 230 lbs, Preston has been a mismatch for nearly every opponent he has faced this year, leading his AAU teammate, Skylar Mays to say, “He's the most talented offensive player I've played with so far.”

Mays and Preston play AAU together with Mo Williams Academy. AAU has played a key role in Preston’s emergence as a top prospect in the Class of 2017. Back when Preston lived in California, he played AAU with Compton Magic. They helped him get introduced to the AAU circuit, as he said, ”Playing with Compton Magic helped me improve a lot, especially going into the next high school season in Texas. It was a big thing. Playing with Adidas, it was tough the first year I was playing with guys like Jaylen Brown, Thon Maker, and other top players. So, it was tough playing there and it got me physically ready for the next high school season.”

Despite his success with the Compton Magic, once he moved to Dallas, he knew that he would have to find a new AAU team. Joining MWA Elite, seemed like the only possible option, as Terrance Ferguson and Mark Vital both played for them. This decision paid off. After a great summer on the AAU circuit, Preston vaulted his stock, making him one of the most coveted recruits in the country.

 

Earlier in the season, Preston made a decision to cut his list of schools to 13. The schools include: Arizona, USC, Kansas, Maryland, UCONN, Kentucky, Oregon, NC State, UNLV, Baylor, Arizona State, Texas, and St. John's. NC State, Baylor, and Texas.

“I’m coachable so, I’m looking for a players coach. A coach that understands the game from a player's view and I can understand it from a coach's view, so that’s really it. Education wise, just the school overall, that’s really it. The first part is mainly basketball and the second part is mainly education.” Explained Preston on what he’s looking for in a school.

Although he recently cut his list, don’t expect a decision soon, saying, “It’s not gonna be anytime soon. Probably my senior year.”

 

Even though Billy Preston has shown continual improvement throughout high school and shown everyone that he’s one of the best prospects in the country, there are still doubters. “ I feel like, there’s somebody out there right now that wants me to fail, that doesn’t want me to make it and by me, giving up and saying, ‘Forget it. I’m done.’ That’s not what I’m about. One day, the people that didn’t believe in you, will be saying how they knew you so well and that’s what motivates me.” Preston stated.

With his college commitment still to come and a national championship in reach, Billy Preston should be a player to watch out for in the Class of 2017 and in high school basketball in general. If there’s one thing for sure, Billy Preston is on, "A Mission for Success.