If you want to win an NCAA title you usually need a good coach, a great resume…and a McDonald’s All-American. Only 3 championship teams since 1979 have not featured such a player (2002 Maryland/2014 UConn/2021 Baylor). The McDonald’s All-American Game has been canceled during each of the past 2 years due to COVID but hopefully the 3rd time is indeed the charm to see everyone back on the court in Chicago on March 29th. The rosters were announced on January 25th after selecting the 24 best high school basketball players in the nation from a list of almost 800 nominees. If you do not think these guys can make an immediate impact this fall just ask Coach Bruce Pearl how he likes having 2021 honoree Jabari Smith at Auburn! Duke seems to be the big winner so far as Coach Jon Scheyer will inherit a trio of 2022 honorees to join him in Durham next season. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Julian Phillips about being named a McDonald’s All-American and getting faster/stronger.
You come from a military family: what impact did that have on you either on or off the court? Both of my parents were in the military and definitely taught me a lot of discipline. I stay humble both on and off the court.
You started your high school career at Blythewood High School where you were a 3-time all-state selection: how did you like playing with former teammate Tre Jackson, and how do you think his Iowa State team will do in the NCAA tourney next month? I had a great time playing with Tre and learned a lot from him. He is a great player and a better teammate so I think the Cyclones can go far and do great things.
Why did you decide to transfer to Link Academy last year, and how is it working out so far? I wanted a better opportunity to further my career: player development, a national schedule, etc. It has been great for me and is working out in my favor.
You have gained almost 35 pounds since your freshman year but can still put up a good time in the 40-yard dash: how have you been able to maintain your speed while also gaining so much muscle? I was like 145 pounds as a freshman but am now around 190! We do a lot of running in practice, which helps our conditioning.
What has been the hardest part of being a high school basketball player during a pandemic? Just not knowing if things will go wrong, like losing a teammate to COVID for a couple of weeks. You cannot take any opportunities for granted and just have to stay in the moment.
You received offers from several great schools including Florida State/Tennessee/USC but signed with LSU last November: what was the biggest factor in your decision? I just wanted to be somewhere where I was comfortable with the coaching staff and could fit into the system. I built a great relationship with the Tigers and love their facilities/campus.
Last month you were named a McDonald’s All-American: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It meant the world to me and is 1 of the highest honors you can get as a high school player. It was really special to see my family so proud of me.
Your teammate Jordan Walsh was also named a McDonald’s All-American: did you think that your team had enough talent to go undefeated this year (you started 26-0 before a 9-PT loss to Sunrise Christian Academy a couple of weeks ago), and how will it feel to face him in the SEC next year when he is at Arkansas? We definitely had enough talent to go undefeated and were rolling for a while but will keep our heads high even after the loss. It will be even more fun to play against him next year on the college stage.
You are 6’8”: what position do you play now, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? I play the wing now and feel comfortable shooting and making plays off the dribble. I would feel great to keep playing the wing in college.
You stated that you would like to have a nice long pro basketball career: what would it mean to you to get drafted by an NBA team? It would mean a lot. I have been dreaming about it since age 5 and have worked hard at it my whole life. I will stay level but would love to support my family.