THE CALGARY SURGE SIGN 6’10’’ FORWARD FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, BILLY PRESTON
MAY 15 – The Calgary Surge have signed six-foot-ten forward Billy Preston for the 2024 season, the team announced Wednesday.
Preston comes to the Surge with five years of professional experience having played internationally in South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Australia. Most recently, Preston played with the Cape Town Tigers of the Basketball Africa League where he averaged 16.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 28.7 minutes in 5 games played as a starter.
“Billy is a sensational talent. Standing at 6’10, he can play positions 1 through 5, which makes him one of the most dynamic players in the CEBL,” said Surge General Manager Shane James. “His playing style aligns with Coach Vernon’s offensive strategies for the coming season. He is a competitor that strives to improve and develop his game every day. We are thrilled to start working with him and see him thrive with the team.”
Before his international career, Preston booked some experience in the NBA Summer League with the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also played in the NBA G-League with the Texas Legends, Erie Bay BayHawks, and Cleveland Charge while also making an appearance in the NBA Preseason with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to bring my game to the Surge,” said Billy Preston. “I’ve heard great things about the city and I’m excited to get to work with the coaching staff and my new teammates.”
Born in Redondo Beach, California, the six-foot-ten forward attended the University of Kansas but chose to pursue basketball professionally during his freshman year. Before entering university, Preston graduated from Oak Hill Academy where he averaged 15.3 points and 9.2 rebounds as a senior.
Fans can now purchase tickets to the 2024 Season Opener at the Scotiabank Saddledome at
www.calgarysurge.ca/surge2thedome.
Single game tickets for the remainder of the 2024 Calgary Surge season are now available at
https://www.calgarysurge.ca/single-game-tickets.
About the Calgary Surge
The Calgary Surge tipped off their inaugural season at WinSport Event Centre in May 2023, after originating the Guelph Nighthawks, one of the founding members of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). From day one, the Surge have been committed to being the Home Team for Calgary and a space where everyone is welcome.
The Calgary Surge are active members of the community and have participated in a few hundred events (and counting) around the city that connect the team with diverse communities through sport and entertainment. In their inaugural season, the Surge finished 1st overall in the Western Conference and were crowned Western Conference Champions in the playoffs. For more information, visit
www.calgarysurge.ca.
About the Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its 2023 rosters being Canadian. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Fourteen players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at
CEBL.ca and @cebleague on
Instagram,
Twitter,
TikTok,
LinkedIn,
Facebook &
YouTube.
Media Contacts:
Hilary Fontus
Manager, Communications
Calgary Surge
514-918-7826
Meg Walsh
Champion Communications
403-389-1088