Julian Phillips is a freshman from Blythewood, South Carolina that played a big role for the Tennessee Volunteers last season. Phillips was able to carve out a role for himself on a team led by veterans under coach Rick Barnes.
Julian Phillips 2023 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
Phillips played just one season at Tennessee before deciding to forgo his eligibility and keep his name in the NBA draft. Missing four games with a hip flexor injury, Phillips appeared in all 32 games in which he was healthy while starting in 25 of them. He averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 41 percent from the field.
Accolades for Phillips include being a member of the 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament Team, 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team, and a one-time SEC Freshman of the Week.
Strengths
The biggest strength Phillips possesses is his slashing ability. 52 percent of Phillips’ field goal attempts come at the rim where he converts 53 percent of them. He has a good sense of when to cut off the ball and his ability to play above the rim makes him dangerous for rotating bigs.
Phillips is also a good passer from the paint. Combined with his cutting ability, he’ll be able to make the extra pass when necessary for easy points. His post-to-post passing game could make him a good option in the high post along with his short-range jump shot.
His length, athleticism, and quick feet make him a great defender on the ball. He’s very skilled at staying in front of the ball handler without fouling and making them take a contested shot or make a bad pass. He has good timing as a shot blocker to both contest jump shots and deny shots at the rim.
Weaknesses
Phillips lacks an effective and consistent jump shot outside of the paint. He shot just 23.9 percent from three-point range last season with a true shooting percentage of 53.6 and an effective field goal percentage of 44.
After shooting only 11 last season, it’s clear Phillips has no pull-up jump shot either. It will be obvious to defenders if he isn’t shooting off the catch, he’s trying to get to the rim.
An effective rebounder offensively, he lacks the same knack on the defensive end, averaging just 2.9 defensive rebounds per game. This may be due to his frame, as Phillips is 6-foot-8 but just 198 pounds.
NBA Player Comparison
Jaden McDaniels. McDaniels is also a tall, lanky athlete with an inconsistent jump shot. McDaniels is a little taller and heavier than Phillips, but whatever team drafts him will want to put some muscle on him. With some improvements to his jump shot and a few other aspects to his game, Phillips could contribute to an NBA roster.
NBA Draft Projection
Late 1st Round to Early Second Round.
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