Tennessee volunteers key player join Auburn tigers

Tennessee’s Julian Phillips declares his plan to make use of the transfer portal.
Former five-star Phillips was a prospect at Auburn this past cycle.

Tennessee basketball has lost a gifted player to the portal.

Julian Phillips, a five-star power forward, has reportedly declared his intention to use the transfer portal, according to On3.

Auburn was interested in Phillips, who made 25 starts for the Volunteers in the previous campaign. In April 2022, the Tigers made Phillips a return offer, but in May, Phillips decided to play with the Vols.

In 32 games, Phillips averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 41.1% from the floor and 23.9% from outside the arc. He was tabbed as a “reliable” shooter coming out of high school but struggled to score efficiently during his lone season at Tennessee. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Auburn looks to become an immediate player in the race for Phillips as Jaylin Williams, the Tigers’ 2022 starter at power forward, has yet to announce whether or not he will be using his fifth year of eligibility to return to play for Auburn as a graduate student. Even if he does, the Tigers would love to have Phillips’ athleticism on roster.

About Phillips as a high school recruit, here’s what Jerry Meyer, director of basketball scouting at 247Sports, had to say:*

“Athletic, long, and lean. possesses an NBA-like athletic pop. possesses a talent for coming up with the basketball and a terrific feel for the game. A dependable outside shot is anticipated to emerge from beyond the arc. good in an open court when handling the ball. A straight-line driver with the ability to pass while moving. Very well moving to his weak hand, which is his left, and effectively ending with it. High potential candidate who has to put on muscle and bulk out.”

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