Julian Phillips’ NBA Draft dreams come true with second-round selection
Julian Phillips’ NBA dreams came to fruition on Thursday night.
Phillips was taken in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls chose Phillips with the 35th overall pick after a trade with the Washington Wizards.
Phillips played in the Columbia area at Blythewood High for the three seasons before transferring to Link Academy in Missouri for his senior year.
Phillips was a top-15 ranked prospect and McDonald’s All-American coming out of Link during the 2022 season, and he picked Tennessee in a ceremony held in Columbia in May 2022.
Phillips spent one year with the Vols before declaring for the NBA Draft. He appeared in 32 games with 25 starts, and averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 41.1% from the field.
Phillips was an all-SEC freshman selection and started to move up draft boards during his performance at the NBA Scouting Combine.
Phillips told reporters that he worked at the combine on getting stronger and improving his offense and shooting
“I have been just really trying to grow in all areas,” Phillips said after a workout with the Portland Trail Blazers.
