Indiana Among Long List of Suitors for Tennessee Transfer Julian Phillips
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With one open scholarship remaining, Indiana has reached out to one of the top available transfers.
Julian Phillips, a 6-foot-8 small forward, entered the transfer portal a day before the May 11 deadline, but there's a chance his college days are over. Phillips has gone through the NBA Draft process, which included posting the combine's best max-vertical jump at 43 inches.
The one-and-done route appears possible for Phillips, who is reportedly leaning toward staying in the draft after an impressive performance at the combine, according to Travis Branham of 247Sports. But if Phillips opts for another year of college, his options won't be limited.
Ranked No. 3 in the transfer portal, Phillips has reportedly heard from a long list of suitors including, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Boston College, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Dayton, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Villanova, Virginia and Wake Forest, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
"Long, lanky and athletic," Jerry Meyer, 247Sports' director of basketball scouting, wrote about Phillips. "Has a NBA athletic pop to him. Has a good feel for the game and a knack for coming up with the basketball. Outside shot is developing and expected to be reliable from beyond the arc. Good with the ball in the open court. Straight line driver who can deliver a pass on the move. Very effective going to his left (weak hand) and effective finishing with his left. High potential prospect who needs to gain weight and strength."
Phillips spent his freshman year under coach Rick Barnes at Tennessee, where he averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He started 25 of 32 games for the Volunteers and shot 41.1 percent overall, 23.9 percent from three and 82.2 percent from the free throw line. Phillips earned a spot on the 2022-23 SEC All-Freshman team.
He committed to Tennessee as a five-star recruit in the class of 2022 out of Link Academy in Branson, Mo. Phillips was ranked No. 13 in the ESPN Top 100, No. 14 by Rivals, No. 15 by On3 and No. 19 by 247Sports. He participated in the 2022 McDonald's All-American game, scoring nine points with three assists, two rebounds and one steal.
Tennessee Volunteers forward Julian Phillips (2) drives past Duke Blue Devils guard Jeremy Roach (3) during the second half in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at Legacy Arena.
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
If he elects to stay in college, Indiana could purse Phillips as the final piece to its 2023-24 roster. Coach Mike Woodson recently won a recruiting battle against Kansas for five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako, who is similar to Phillips in some ways as a versatile, 6-foot-8 small forward. Former four-star recruit Kaleb Banks returns for his sophomore year after playing a limited role with flashes of potential as a 6-foot-7 freshman. Phillips showed impressive slashing ability as a freshman in the SEC, and adding him the mix with Mgbako and Banks would boost Indiana's athleticism on the wing.
Along with the best max-vertical jump, Phillips measured at 6’6 3/4” without shoes, plus wingspan of 6’11 1/2” at the NBA combine. Despite his standing as a potential draft pick, the question with Phillips – both as an NBA prospect and his fit at Indiana – comes down to 3-point shooting.
Phillips shot 23.9 percent from 3-point range on 46 attempts as a freshman at Tennessee, low from both a percentage and volume standpoint. Still, he played most of his minutes at small forward alongside Tennessee power forward Olivier Nkamhoua and center Uros Plavsic.
The Hoosiers' front court is set with returning sophomore-to-be Malik Reneau and transfer forwards Kel'el Ware (Oregon), Anthony Walker (Miami) and Payton Sparks (Ball State). Sixth-year point guard Xavier Johnson and senior Trey Galloway are Indiana's top returners in the back court, which is rounded out by senior Anthony Leal and a young group of guards in CJ Gunn, Gabe Cupps and Jakai Newton.
With the recent addition of Mgbako and hope for a sophomore jump from Banks, it's possible Indiana looks for a more proven 3-point shooter with its final scholarship, but Phillips' potential is worth pursuing.
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