That’s exactly what unfolded when head coach Dennis Gates secured veteran center Shawn Phillips Jr. from the transfer portal.
The addition came on the same day that freshman Peyton Marshall announced his departure from Columbia, though it’s uncertain whether the two moves are related.
Regardless, the Tigers’ frontcourt now includes a seasoned big man — one with considerable experience, especially in SEC play.
Phillips, a three-year NCAA athlete, began his college career at LSU in the SEC before transferring to Arizona State, where he spent the past two seasons.
During his freshman year at LSU in 2022–23, Phillips saw limited playing time and never started, which led to his transfer to Arizona State. It was with the Sun Devils that he began to make a greater impact.
In his sophomore season — his first at ASU — Phillips played in 24 games and started in half of them. While he didn’t shoot frequently, he was efficient, hitting 55% of his field goal attempts.
He embraced his role on both ends of the court, averaging 5.5 points, three rebounds, and over one block per game.
His junior year saw further progress. Phillips improved across the board, averaging nearly six points on 57% shooting and increasing his rebounding to more than five per game, while still contributing one block per contest.
However, with more minutes came more mistakes. His averages climbed to nearly two turnovers and three fouls per game — areas that may need refinement moving forward.
Phillips plays a more traditional center style, anchoring the paint, taking advantage of close-range scoring chances, and offering solid interior defense.
If used properly, he could effectively fill the void left not just by Marshall, but also by former starting center Josh Gray, who entered the transfer portal after using up his eligibility.
