Moshier: Preaster gets collegiate shot

He is probably the most gifted athlete I have had the pleasure of watching in over 30 years of covering high school sports, and now former Thomas R. Proctor High School star Deandre Preaster is making a comeback.

 

Here’s to hoping his comeback is complete.

 

The 6-foot-3 Preaster, a two-sport standout at Proctor as a football receiver and basketball forward, failed to make the grade academically after accepting a football scholarship offer from Syracuse University. Now, he is playing college basketball in his hometown for Mohawk Valley Community College’s Hawks.

 

There are many around here, myself included, who firmly believe this softspoken, humble-almost-to-a-fault, young man can play college basketball at the Division I level. Yes, he is only 6-foot-3, and he’s not a slick ball handler or long-range bomber. But he’s a quick leaper with great hands and a high basketball IQ, and if he can make it academically at MVCC do not be surprised if some day, some where, Utica’s Deandre Preaster is a Division I basketball player.

 

For his sake, and ours (treat yourself and catch one of his games), I hope so.