Bobby Hurley and ASU picked up their fifth transfer portal addition of the offseason Tuesday, as LSU forward Shawn Phillips committed to the Sun Devils after just one season with the Tigers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!.@SunDevilHoops gets another transfer from LSU after G Adam Miller committed to them last week. At 7 feet tall, Phillips will bring some size to ASU after it lost Duke Brennan and Enoch Boakye to the transfer portal and with Warren Washington having his name in the NBA Draft. https://t.co/rDWYdGZVeJ
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) April 25, 2023
Phillips, originally from Dayton, Ohio, played his high school basketball in Arizona at Dream City Christian, where he averaged 15.9 points, 14.7 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game. He was ranked as a four-star prospect out of high school before committing to LSU.
He played in 20 games for the Tigers, averaging 1.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game. His best performance came late in the season in the SEC Tournament (March 8) when he had a double-double against Georgia, recording 13 points, 10 boards and two blocks in 25 minutes.
Phillips is listed at 7 feet tall and 245 pounds. He is a great athlete for his size and known for being a great rim protector and rebounder. He also can finish strong around the rim.
The Tigers keep dancing in Music City! Here is last night's @LSUradio Play of the Game as Shawn Phillips, Jr put it back with a one-handed slam to lift @LSUBasketball ahead for good. Geaux Courtside with @JohnBrady_Coach & @LSUTigersVoice #LSU pic.twitter.com/NxJCo0kapc
— LSU Sports Radio Network 🐅📻 (@LSUradio) March 9, 2023
Hurley confirmed the news with his signature tweet.
Forks Up‼️☀️😈🏀
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) April 25, 2023
Phillips fills a need for the Sun Devils at the five position, and he could have the opportunity for some major minutes if Warren Washington decides to keep his name in the NBA Draft and not return to ASU.
ASU Roster Tracker (Main Pieces from End of Last Season)
Players gained from the portal (5): F Shawn Phillips (LSU), F Zane Meeks (USF), G Adam Miller (LSU), F Kamari Lands (Louisville), G Malachi Davis (Tallahassee CC)
Players lost to the portal (6): G Austin Nunez (Ole Miss), F Devan Cambridge (Oregon), F Duke Brennan (GCU), G Malcolm Flaggs (GCU), G DJ Horne (NC State), F/C Enoch Boakye (Fresno State)
Players lost to eligibility (2): G Desmond Cambridge Jr., G Luther Muhammad
Players with names in NBA Draft (option to return) (2): G Frankie Collins, F/C Warren Washington
Unannounced players (1): F Alonzo Gaffney
Returning players (1): G/F Jamiya Neal (removed name from portal)
Incoming freshmen (2): Four-star G Braelon Green (CA), four-star PF Akil Watson (NJ)
My Predicted Rotation As of Now
1. Frankie Collins, Braelon Green
2. Adam Miller, Malachi Davis
3. Jamiya Neal
4. Alonzo Gaffney, Kamari Lands, Akil Watson
5. Warren Washington, Zane Meeks, Shawn Phillips
The Sun Devils can mix up these positions, as we saw them do several times last season. They appear to be set on big men, but could look for a starting-caliber center should Washington not return, but there is some speculation that he will. They like to play a lot of three-guard lineups, so there is a role for all of the guards on the team right now, but they could use a backup point guard (not sure what Green’s role will be) and small forward. Despite all of the departures, Hurley has done a terrific job of retooling the roster, going out and getting players from the transfer portal that fit ASU perfectly and have either proven themselves with experience or are young but were highly-rated recruits out of high school. Depth was a huge key for ASU’s success last season, and the Sun Devils will have it once again next season. Having what could be 11 quality players that make up the roster as of right now is a huge achievement that shouldn’t be overlooked, as Hurley said he wanted the roster to be complete by early May.