Preston’s Impact on Hofstra’s NCAA Journey

Preston Edmeade, a freshman from Long Island, has been a transformative player for the Hofstra Pride, playing a significant role in their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 25 years.

“When I arrived on campus, I was ready to do whatever it took to get on the court,” the 19-year-old and Coast Athletic Association Freshman of the Year shared. Edmeade is set to face No. 4 seed Alabama in the Midwest Region’s first round as a No. 13 seed.

This season, which could have been marked by heartbreak, turned historic for Hofstra, largely due to Edmeade’s pivotal performances. In an exhilarating overtime match against Towson during the conference semifinals, he hit the decisive 3-pointer with just 0.3 seconds remaining, clinching the game at 68-65 and earning the tournament MVP title.

“I really didn’t want to go into another overtime,” Edmeade joked, highlighting his status as one of only 11 freshmen nationwide averaging at least 15 points and four assists per game.

Initially, Edmeade’s reaction was to acknowledge the crowd and, of course, his family. His basketball journey began with inspiration from his father, John, who played in the 1990s for the Sachems and St. John the Baptist before moving on to Dowling College.

John’s two older sons also made their mark in basketball, with Arlen playing for North Carolina A&T and Malik a redshirt senior at Merrimack. “My brothers really set the tone for me in the basketball community,” Preston noted, reminiscing about his early days on the Deer Park varsity team with Malik, where he earned the nickname “Rest” for being notably younger than his teammates.

His mother, Chrissy, fondly remembers how he grew up, saying, “I still can’t believe how much he’s changed… I’m just so impressed.”

Family holds a special place in Preston’s heart. His brother Arlen humorously refers to him as “Mother Boy,” while Preston sports a birth order tattoo behind his ear, symbolizing his position among his siblings—an older sister, Nyla, and a younger brother, Blake.

All three brothers, along with Preston, learned the game from local trainer Jerry Powell, whose acclaim includes working with NBA stars. “I knew Preston was meant for Division I basketball when he was only 11,” Powell expressed. “His quickness, once controlled, makes him unguardable—there’s a fighting spirit in him.”

Growing up, Preston spent countless hours practicing with his brothers, who sometimes playfully bullied him during their driveway games. “We pushed him, not out of spite, but to toughen him up for moments like the one against Towson,” Arlen shared.

Despite a demanding schedule at Hofstra, where he often has to take blackout days due to his training, Preston has envisioned hitting game-winning shots since childhood.

Arlen’s belief in his brother led him to film crucial moments during games, sensing that Preston was primed for an outstanding performance.

“I just had this feeling,” he recalled, and indeed, Preston became the first in their family to go through the March Madness experience.

“It’s not just Preston who gets to dance; we all do,” his brother remarked. “It feels like a victory for the whole family.”

Now, Preston Edmeade is recognized as one of the more uplifting stories in college basketball, committed to returning to Hofstra next season, as confirmed by his father.

“I can’t express how thankful I am to be here,” Preston reflected.