The University of Missouri men’s basketball team has bolstered its frontcourt by securing a commitment from 7-foot center Shawn Phillips Jr., who is transferring from Arizona State University. This addition marks the fourth transfer for Mizzou during the 2025 offseason, following previous commitments from Jevon Porter (Loyola Marymount), Luke Northweather (Oklahoma), and Sebastian Mack (UCLA) citeturn0news12.
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### A Promising Addition to Mizzou’s Frontcourt
Phillips, a native of Dayton, Ohio, began his collegiate career at LSU before transferring to Arizona State. In the 2024–25 season with the Sun Devils, he averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, showcasing his potential as a rim protector and rebounder citeturn0search2. Notably, he recorded a double-double with 14 points and 6 rebounds in a game against Arizona citeturn0search2.
Mizzou’s coaching staff, led by Dennis Gates, has been actively seeking experienced big men to strengthen their frontcourt. The addition of Phillips provides depth and versatility, complementing the team’s existing roster citeturn0news14.
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### Looking Ahead
With the commitment of Shawn Phillips Jr., Mizzou’s men’s basketball team continues to enhance its roster in preparation for the 2025–26 season. Fans can anticipate a more formidable frontcourt presence, contributing to the team’s pursuit of success in the upcoming season.
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The Missouri Tigers (Mizzou) have landed a commitment from Arizona State transfer big man Shawn Phillips Jr. Here’s what we know about this development ¹ ² ³:
– *Shawn Phillips Jr.’s Profile*: Phillips is a 7-foot, 245-pound center who averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in 17.9 minutes per contest last season in the Big 12 Conference.
– *Transfer Decision*: Phillips had a Zoom call with Memphis, but ultimately chose to join Mizzou, adding significant size and experience to the Tigers’ frontcourt.
– *Impact on Mizzou*: This move addresses a key need for the Tigers, who recently lost big man Peyton Marshall to the transfer portal. Marshall, a four-star recruit, appeared in 22 games last season, averaging just over 4.3 minutes per game.
– *Recent Roster Moves*: Mizzou has been active in the transfer portal, also landing a former Big Ten guard. The Tigers have lost a few players to the portal, including Aidan Shaw, who committed to Boston College, and Marcus Allen, who is still looking for a new home.
*What This Means for Mizzou’s Future*
With Phillips on board, the Tigers are looking to bolster their frontcourt and make a deeper push in the SEC. Given Phillips’ experience and size, he could become a key contributor for Mizzou in the upcoming season. However, the team still faces some uncertainty with players in the transfer portal ² ¹.
The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team has bolstered its frontcourt for the 2025–26 season by securing a commitment from 7-foot, 245-pound center Shawn Phillips Jr., who transfers from Arizona State University. This addition addresses a critical need for experienced big men, enhancing Mizzou’s depth and versatility in the post.
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### Background and Transfer Journey
Phillips, a native of Dayton, Ohio, began his collegiate career at LSU, where he played during the 2022–23 season. In his freshman year, he appeared in 20 games, averaging 1.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Notably, he recorded his first double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Georgia in the SEC Tournament. Following his time at LSU, Phillips transferred to Arizona State, where he started the first three games of the 2023–24 season before suffering a mid-foot injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. citeturn0search2
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### Playing Style and Potential Impact
Phillips is recognized for his physical presence in the paint, contributing as a rim protector and rebounder. His offensive game includes effective cutting and rolling to the basket, though he has room to develop in low-post scoring. Defensively, he offers solid rim protection and rebounding, with a 22.2% defensive rebound rate and a 6.75% block percentage. While his consistency has been a point of focus, Phillips’ tactical flexibility and depth provide Mizzou with a reliable option in the frontcourt. citeturn0news14
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### Mizzou’s Transfer Strategy
Phillips’ commitment is part of Mizzou’s strategic approach to roster development through the transfer portal. The Tigers have also added transfers Jevon Porter from Loyola Marymount, Sebastian Mack from UCLA, and Luke Northweather from Oklahoma, aiming to strengthen various positions on the team. These additions complement the returning underclassmen, including Mark Mitchell and Ant Robinson, who form a strong foundation for the upcoming season. citeturn0news13
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### Looking Ahead
With the addition of Phillips, Mizzou enhances its frontcourt depth and gains a player with significant collegiate experience. As the Tigers prepare for the 2025–26 season, Phillips’ presence is expected to contribute to the team’s competitiveness in the Southeastern Conference. His development and integration into Mizzou’s system will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
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