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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 3-star center Shawn Phillips final 3 teams

Mar 3, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Manny Bates (15) reacts after a basket in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Manny Bates (15) reacts after a basket in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three-star center Shawn Phillips has provided an update in his NCAA Basketball recruitment, now down to three programs in contention. Those teams are NC State, West Virginia, and Ole Miss. All three could use a big man and while Phillips isn’t the biggest name in the class, he still has plenty of talent.

At 6’10 and 250 pounds, Phillips is a true five-man that can defend the paint. He has great size and mobility, while also being fundamentally sound. The center won’t give you 20+ points in a game (at least as an underclassman) but is a solid rebounder and overall defender that should see him get minutes in a rotation.

With three teams remaining in the picture for a looming decision, here is how I see he fits with each of them.

NC State Wolfpack

There was a time this offseason when starting center Manny Bates was reportedly considering transferring out, so it makes sense that the program is looking to land at least one center in the 2022 class just in case he leaves after next season. NC State and head coach Kevin Keatts can offer Phillips early playing time as the backup or starting center, although reserve big Ebenezer Dowuona is still around and in the picture.

Ole Miss Rebels

After losing Khadim Sy and Romello White this offseason, the Rebels were able to land senior transfer Nysier Brooks to have a true center on the roster for 2021-22. This is a team that needs to find a center in the 2022 class to pair with guard commit Nick Krass. Although both Eric van der Heijden and Jaemyn Brakefield have the body and size to play some minutes at center, Phillips is someone the Rebels can use in the talent-rich SEC to combat five-star level big men. He may not be as good as them on paper but Phillips will at least make them work for it.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Head coach Bob Huggins knows the importance of having a true interior defender at the center position, as it helps the Mountaineers‘ defense reach their maximum potential. Although he wasn’t around for long, Phillips’ ideal role would be one that Oscar Tshiebwe had before he left. The team brought in 5th-year transfers, Pauly Paulicap and Dimon Carrigan, alongside another veteran in Gabriel Osabuohien.

Next. Memphis projected lineup and depth chart for 2021-22. dark

On paper, I would believe that West Virginia would’ve been the ideal fit for Phillips, who also could offer immediate time for the three-star recruit. However, the recent reclassification and pickup of four-star center James Okonkwo may have given the program its ideal future starting center. So in that case, look for NC State to potentially win out here.