What to expect from KU commit Billy Preston

Billy Preston, a 6-foot-9 power forward and Rivals.com’s eighth-ranked player in the class of 2017, committed to the Kansas men’s basketball team Friday.

Here’s a Q-and-A with Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Eric Bossi on KU’s newest basketball commit.

Q: What are your overall thoughts on Preston’s game?

A: I really like Billy. I think that he is a college-ready frontcourt player who is versatile enough that he can play facing the rim or you can go put him down on the box and throw it into him as a primary scoring option. So he’s one of those guys that gives a coach like Bill Self a lot of flexibility in how he wants to play things, whether he wants to go with a jumbo lineup or something a little bit smaller. He’s a nice piece to play with.

Q: What’s his greatest strength?

A: A few things. I think he’s a very good rebounder, and I think he’s very good off the dribble, especially when matched up with other big guys. I think he’s going to be a problem for them with his ability to handle it (while) pushing 6 foot 10 with quickness and good athleticism. Also, he’s going to show up. This isn’t going to be kid who’s going to be a toothpick. He looks like a college basketball player already. Physically, he’s ready to go.

Q: What are some things he still needs to work on?

A: He can make some mid-range jumpshots, but I think getting a little more consistent with that shot will really open things up when playing facing the floor. I think in the past, maybe consistent effort has been a question. But I really think he’s done a lot of things to address that.

I really think a kid like him, who gets a year at Oak Hill (Academy Prep) before he arrives on campus, I think it’s going to be really beneficial to him, because it’s almost like a college-like setting in terms of time management and how much travel there is and the type of guys he’s playing with on a daily basis. I think he’s a guy who should arrive ready to go.

Q: He’s No. 8 in your Rivals rankings. How does he project? Is he a one-and-done-type guy?

A: Sure, he’s a potential one-and-done-type guy. I think he fits today’s NBA. He has the tools and the aptitude to be an impact college player, which certainly doesn’t hurt for one trying to go one-and-done. But maybe he is, maybe he’s not. It’s not like he’s a lock, top-five pick right now. But with the tools he has, certainly he’s somebody who I think is going to be thinking one-and-done and has the tools to get that accomplished.

Q: What do you think his potential fit is with KU and what Self does?

A: Because of his versatility, I think he’s a really good fit. I think he’s got a personality that is a good match with Bill Self. I think there’s definitely going to be some moments where there’s some give and take between him and coach Self, and I think that’s going to be a good thing. I think with the way Kansas plays, whether you’re running high-low stuff or whether they’re running ball-screen offense or 2 side or whatever they’re trying to do, I think he fits pretty well into all those different types of things that they’ll do.

Q: This is likely to be an important recruiting class for KU with all the players expected to leave after this season. I know KU has missed out on some recent recruits, so what does it mean for Self and the coaching staff to lock up a player of Preston’s talent?

A: Getting an impact guy and a guy who is ready to come in and go was something that was needed regardless of position I think. Ideally, they can still find a true impact, difference-maker guard in that first year, but I think people are maybe also nationally underselling Marcus Garrett a little bit. I don’t think he’s going to be a flashy guy, but I think he’s going to be a very good, all-around piece who can help fill many holes. Then when you add a guy who theoretically is a plug-and-play and can be able to produce big numbers and big minutes like Preston, you’ve got a pretty strong class.

Obviously, they’d like to add a few more guys, but once again, here we are. I think Kansas fans seem to spend a lot of time wringing their hands and getting really nervous about recruiting in September and early October, and then when things finish up, Bill Self always seems to come in with another really good class.

This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 3:47 PM with the headline "What to expect from KU commit Billy Preston."