When one 7-footer leaves, another quickly arrives.
That’s exactly what happened when head coach Dennis Gates landed veteran center Shawn Phillips Jr. from the transfer portal.
The move came on the same day freshman Peyton Marshall announced he would be leaving Columbia, though it’s unclear if the two decisions are connected.
Either way, the Tigers’ front-court now features a new big man — one with far more experience, particularly within the SEC.
Phillips is a three-year NCAA player who began his career in the SEC, spending his freshman season at LSU before playing the last two years at Arizona State with the Sun Devils.
He never started — and rarely played — for LSU during the 2022-23 season, prompting a quick transfer to Arizona State. It was there that he began to make a more noticeable impact at the NCAA level.
In his sophomore season and first year with the Sun Devils, Phillips appeared in 24 games, starting in half of them. While he didn’t shoot often, he was efficient, converting 55% of his attempts from the field.
Phillips embraced his role on both ends of the floor, averaging three rebounds and more than one block per game, along with 5.5 points per contest.
Everything improved in his junior season, including his playing time. Phillips averaged nearly six points per game on 57% shooting, while boosting his rebounding to over five per game. He also maintained his mark of one block per contest.
However, with the increased playing time came a rise in turnovers and fouls. Phillips averaged nearly two turnovers and three fouls per game — areas that could become problematic if not brought under control.
As alluded to earlier, Phillips plays more of a traditional center role. He anchors the paint, waits for his scoring opportunities, and provides solid around-the-basket defense.
If utilized correctly, Phillips could serve as a strong replacement not only for Marshall, but also for former starting center Josh Gray, who entered the transfer portal despite exhausting his eligibility.