The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team has strengthened its frontcourt by signing 7-foot center Shawn Phillips Jr., a transfer from Arizona State. This addition marks the fourth transfer commitment for Mizzou this spring, following previous signings of guards Sebastian Mack and Jevon Porter, and forward Luke Northweather.
Phillips, originally from Dayton, Ohio, began his collegiate career at LSU before transferring to Arizona State. Over his three seasons, he has averaged 5.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Notably, he recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in an SEC Tournament game against Georgia.
At Missouri, Phillips joins a roster that now includes seven players taller than 6-foot-9. His experience provides depth behind underclassmen Peyton Marshall, Trent Burns, and Nicholas Randall. Additionally, his presence may allow for more small-ball lineup configurations, offering tactical flexibility for head coach Dennis Gates. citeturn0news12
Despite his physical attributes and potential, Phillips has primarily served as a reserve, with his career averages standing at 1.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. However, his performance in the SEC Tournament, where he recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Georgia, highlights his capabilities.
Missouri’s coaching staff considered several other frontcourt options during the recruiting period, including High Point’s Juslin Bodo Bodo, Oregon State’s Parsa Fallah, and Central Arkansas’ Nehemiah Turner. Ultimately, Phillips’ combination of size, experience, and athleticism made him the preferred choice to fill a critical roster gap.
