Preston Laird Class: Sophomore Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. High School: Germantown Height / Weight: 6-2 / 182 Position: Guard Birthdate: 09/25/1990 Experience: 1L

Overview
A steadying influence for the program ... Has shown a tremendous work ethic in the off-season that has continued through preseason drills ... Has improved his game in every area ... A great perimeter shooter ... Will battle for playing time in the Memphis backcourt.

Career
Has played in 18 games ... Averaging 0.9 points and 0.3 rebounds ... Has two assists ... Shooting 40 percent from the field, 100 percent from the arc and 75 percent from the free throw line.

Overview2008-09 (Freshman)
Saw action in 18 of the Tigers' 37 games ... Averaged 0.9 points and 0.3 rebounds ... Had two assists ... Shot 40 percent from the field, 100 percent from the arc and 75 percent from the free throw line ...

Postseason (NCAA/C-USA Tournaments): Played in three of Memphis' six postseason contests ... Averaged 0.3 rebounds ... In the NCAA Tournament, saw action in the Tigers' second-round victory over Maryland ... Grabbed one rebound in his one minute of action vs. the Terrapins ... Played in two games in the Conference USA Tournament ... Recorded two minutes vs. Tulsa in the C-USA Tournament championship game and one minute vs. Houston in the C-USA Tournament semifinal ... Was 0-of-1 from the field vs. the Cougars ...

Conference USA play: Saw action in nine league games ... Averaged 0.8 points and 0.4 rebounds ... Had two assists ... Shot 33.3 percent from the floor, 100 percent from the three-point line and 50 percent from the foul line ... Dished out one assist in the regular season finale vs. Tulane ... Grabbed one board in a home victory over Southern Miss ... Scored one point and pulled down one rebound in a home win over SMU ... Had two points and one rebound in a home win over Tulsa ... Grabbed one board vs. Houston ... Scored three points and added one assist vs. Rice ... Netted his three points on 1-of-1 shooting from the arc vs. the Owls ... Scored one point in the C-USA opener vs. Marshall ...

Non-conference play (regular season games only): Played in six of the Tigers' 15 non-league games ... Averaged 1.7 points ... Shot 66.7 percent from the field, 100 percent from three-point line and 100 percent from the charity stripe ... Netted three points on 1-of-1 shooting from the arc vs. Lamar ... Played a career-high tying three minutes vs. the Cardinals ... Was 2-of-2 from the free throw line for his two points vs. Northeastern ... Saw two minutes of action vs. Drexel ... Scored a career-high five points on a perfect shooting performance vs. Marist ... Was 1-of-1 from the arc and 2-of-2 from the free throw line vs. the Red Foxes ... Played a career-best three minutes vs. Marist ... Saw game action vs. Seton Hall in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off semifinal game ... Played one minute in the season opener vs. Fairfield.

High School
Played basketball and golf at Germantown High School ... Earned letters in both sports ... Played shooting guard and point guard for the Red Devil basketball program under head coach Newton Mealer ... Averaged 15.4 points, 4.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds as a senior in 2007-08 ... The Red Devils posted a 15-14 record in 2007-08 ... His best offensive game was a 27-point performance as a senior in 2007-08 ... Named to the Commercial Appeal's 2007 Best of the Preps for boys golf ... A National Honor Society member and was a Commended National Merit recipient ... Was active in the History and Better Business clubs.

Personal
Full name is Preston Alan Laird ... Born September 25, 1990 ... Son of Brent and Emily Laird ... Major is undeclared ... Received an appointment to attend the Air Force Academy, but chose to play at the University of Memphis ... Served as a Tiger hoops ball boy during his grade/middle school years.