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Jason Preston’s NBA Journey Has Become About Helping Others

Originally posted on The Lead | By Daniel Ramos Escalero | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 2:19 PM ET

Jason Preston thought reaching the NBA was the dream. He later realized his real purpose was helping others reach theirs.

When Preston was selected with the 33rd pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, his journey to the league felt like the ultimate destination. As the Orlando Magic drafted him and then traded him that night to the Los Angeles Clippers, Preston entered the NBA with opportunity in front of him and belief behind him.

“Jason is an outstanding playmaker and passer with terrific vision and an advanced feel for the game,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank after acquiring him.

But it wasn’t just his skill set that stood out. “He stood out to us as a selfless teammate who makes those around him better. We think our group will enjoy playing with him.”

Even before he stepped onto an NBA court, that description captured something deeper about Preston — something that would come to define his evolution in the league.

From Self-Focused Rookie to Mentor

Like many young players entering professional basketball, Jason Preston admits his early mindset was centered on proving himself. “When you first come into the league, you only think about yourself, and how you can do anything and everything,” Preston told The Lead. That mentality, he says, naturally shifts with experience.

Now five years into his professional career, Preston finds greater joy not in personal accolades, but in helping others grow. Whether it’s breaking down film, sharing drills online, or simply listening to teammates, he sees his knowledge as something meant to be shared.

One of the most meaningful moments of that transformation came during his time with the Utah Jazz. Preston had become one of the more experienced players on the roster when, during a practice, teammate Taylor Hendricks made a play and immediately referenced one of Preston’s online breakdown videos after executing a passing read he had never tried before.

“Seeing the surprised smile on his face when he realized he had unlocked a new ability was an amazing feeling on my end,” Preston said. “Moments like that are why I love sharing what I know.” For Preston, those small breakthroughs — helping someone see the game differently — carry more weight than individual recognition.

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Jason Preston Is Redefining His Definition of Success

In professional sports, success is often measured in wins, contracts, and statistics. Preston sees it differently. “In sports you are taught so [often] that you have to win everything, or else it is a failure,” he explained. “But you can win when you don’t perform your best, and you can lose when you do just about everything right.”

His philosophy is simple: “Process > Results.” After missing all of last season due to injury and battling setbacks again this year, Preston’s priorities have shifted. “Health and getting back in rhythm are definitely my top priorities as far as playing goes,” he said

That process extends beyond the court — disciplined recovery, nutrition, proper rest, journaling, and mental performance training. Every day carries the same internal question: How can I get better? By focusing on daily habits rather than outcomes, Preston believes growth becomes sustainable, and setbacks lose their power.

Giving Back What He Never Had

Jason Preston’s desire to teach doesn’t come from strategy alone. It comes from experience. “Growing up, I didn’t have many connections, a trainer, or anyone showing me the way,” he said. “So I want to be that resource for players who don’t have those advantages.”

As a child, Preston would have loved access to a professional player willing to share how they study the game, how they think, and how they build habits. Now that he has that platform, he feels responsible for opening that door. “I want to share everything I’ve learned — whether it’s drills, mindset shifts, habits, or how to really study film.”

What started with online videos has grown into a larger vision — camps, clinics, community initiatives, and expanded digital content aimed at helping the next generation navigate a path he once had to figure out alone.

Fatherhood: A New Perspective

If entering the NBA once felt like the pinnacle, fatherhood reshaped that belief entirely. “I thought getting drafted would be the best feeling of my life, but being able to be a dad every day has actually surpassed that,” said Preston.

Watching his daughter grow has added a deeper motivation behind his daily work — not just professional success, but long-term purpose. “It gives me another sense of motivation behind all the work I put in to make her life easier one day.”

Becoming a father has also sharpened his priorities. Faith, family, and growth now sit at the center of his routine. “Building my relationship with Jesus Christ is first. Being a husband and father is very important to me, while still balancing practicing, rehabbing, improving my craft, creating content, and putting in daily work,” he said.

Jason Preston once chased the NBA as the ultimate goal. Years later, he sees it as a platform, not just to perform, but to serve.

For him, success is no longer about what he achieves alone. It’s about how many others he can help unlock along the way.

This article first appeared on The Lead and was syndicated with permission.

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