It doesn't feel that long ago when Julian Phillips was being discussed as the next up-and-coming prospect in South Carolina. He already had a massive reputation prior to entering the high school ranks and only continued to build on his foundation. Phillips went from the Capital City Vipers to Blythewood and immediately stood out as a noteworthy contributor as a freshman. Once Tre Jackson departed for Iowa State, everyone knew it was Phillips' team. Not only did he keep Blythewood afloat, Phillips seamlessly transitioned into being the primary cog and dictating the action on both ends of the floor. His length, athleticism and slithery, inside-out game really made him a matchup problem for all types of opponents and allowed him to dominate on a nightly basis.
Phillips has never wavered as the top player in South Carolina's Class of 2022 and continues to separate himself as a national-level prospect. In Rivals latest updated rankings, Phillips took a 16-spot leap and found himself ranked at #51. With a college-ready game and two more years to keep honing his craft, Phillips has the ability to be a major priority amongst high-major programs. It'll be interesting to see simply how high he could climb, especially since he's always seemed to exceed expectations.