Preston played basketball for William R. Boone High School in Orlando, Florida, averaging two points per game over two years.

[1] He stood about 6 feet (1.83 m) tall and weighed 140 pounds (64 kg) out of high school and applied to the University of Central Florida as a regular student, planning to major in journalism.

[2] As a freshman at Ohio University, Preston averaged six points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, earning MAC All-Freshman Team honors.

[6] On February 8, he scored 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the second player in program history to register a triple-double, in a 77–46 win over Miami (Ohio).

[14] On March 20, in the first round of the NCAA tournament, he helped the 13th-seeded Bobcats to a 62–58 upset victory over fourth-seeded Virginia, recording 11 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

[15] As a junior, Preston averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, earning First Team All-MAC honors.

[17] Preston was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by his hometown team the Orlando Magic and was then traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Preston made his NBA debut on October 23, 2022, playing three minutes in a 112–95 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

He had produced a highlight video that helped earn him a Division I scholarship with Ohio and an eventual pro career.