NBA Draft Scouting Report: Tennessee's Julian Phillips
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Julian Phillips
Wing | Tennessee
Height: 6'8” | Weight: 200 lbs
2023 Draft Age: 19.63
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Prospect Profile
Tennessee was projected to have one of the best wings in the country this season in Phillips. With great positional size at 6-foot-8, he was used in many different ways on both ends of the floor. His length allowed him to guard multiple positions at a high level, which will make him very attractive to NBA teams.
With that in mind, he still didn't show as much as many had hoped. He was a solid player as a freshman, but didn't lock himself in as a first rounder this summer.
If Phillips can improve as a shooter, it’s easy to see a scenario in which he becomes a highly impactful 3-and-D wing. It’s not that his shot is bad now, but he is somewhat limited. He’s proven to be effective in catch-and-shoot situations from both the midrange and beyond the arc, but Phillips hasn’t had to convert on more difficult looks.
At the next level, shots have to get off more quickly and are very rarely uncontested. In general, whether or not Phillips can generate his own shot at the next level and score in isolation will be interesting.
Even if he doesn’t evolve into a shot creator, he’s still effective when he’s created for and in transition. He’s able to use his athleticism and length on the break to get easy buckets. Phillips is also a fantastic cutter, always finding himself in the right place on offense. This knack for finding the ball is also something that’s resulted in him pulling down offensive rebounds at a high rate.
What’s really impressive about Phillips is how good he is with both of his hands. Whether it’s the direction he drives the ball or the hand he finishes with at the rim, he’s effective left or right.
The swing factors for the freshman will be getting stronger and becoming more of a creator. Either way, he'll have the chance to showcase his talent in the pre-draft process and could be a riser.
Before landing at Tennessee, Phillips was offered an $800,000 contract with the G League Ignite and also considered joining Overtime Elite. The five-star prospect really broke out his senior season and emerged as one of the best wings in his class. During that final high school season, he led Link Academy to 33-2 record and a trip to the GEICO National Championship game.
Highlights
Draft Projection
Late First or Early Second-Round Pick in 2023 NBA Draft.
2023 Big Board
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