CBS Sports projects Tennessee Vols player as a first-round pick in 2023 NBA Draft
The Tennessee Vols made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason earlier this spring when they signed 2022 five-star forward Julian Phillips. Phillips, 6-foot-8/200 lbs from Branson, MO (by way of Blythewood, SC), is ranked in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 4 small forward in the nation and the No. 1 player in […]
The Tennessee Vols made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason earlier this spring when they signed 2022 five-star forward Julian Phillips.
Phillips, 6-foot-8/200 lbs from Branson, MO (by way of Blythewood, SC), is ranked in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 4 small forward in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Missouri. He's also ranked as the No. 12 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class.
If Phillips is as advertised next season for the Vols, he won't be in Knoxville for very long.
Based on his potential, CBS Sports' Kyle Boone has Phillips projected as a first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Boone's early mock draft that he released on Tuesday has Phillips being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the No. 23 overall pick. He also notes that Phillips has the upside to be a lottery pick.
From CBS Sports:
At 6-8, Phillips has a great frame for a wing and has the length and athleticism to be a potential lottery pick in next year's draft. Good slasher who can make things happen with or without the ball in his hands. Rick Barnes is going to love his game.
This has to be a bittersweet prediction for Vols fans.
Fans obviously hope that Phillips delivers on the five-star hype and becomes a star in the SEC in 2022-23. But if that happens, it almost certainly means he'll be a one-and-done player.
If Phillips isn't a one-and-done player, it'll mean he had a massive letdown season — at least compared to his recruiting ranking (I don't want to use the word bust because I don't think that's fair to a college freshman at all).
Unfortunately, that's the reality of five-star players in today's game. It certainly makes roster building a challenge for head coaches — especially when you throw the transfer portal into the mix.
If Phillips is a lottery pick, it'll be great for the future of Tennessee basketball when it comes to recruiting. This is absolutely what Vol fans should be hoping for, even though it'll mean quickly saying goodbye to a great player.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
