Tennessee basketball scores huge 2022 commitment in five-star F Julian Phillips

Rick Barnes does it again! Tennessee basketball picked up what will likely be its biggest offseason addition Thursday with a huge commitment, one who could start for them immediately and offset some of their recent departures, including potential future ones.

Forward Julian Phillips committed to UT for 2022, a huge get for Rick Barnes and his staff. A five-star across the board, Phillips is listed as a small forward by every service, standing between 6’7″ and 6’8″ while weighing in the range of 175 to 210 pounds.

The graduate of Link Academy in Branson County, Mo., is the second commitment in Tennessee basketball’s 2022 class, following four-star guard B.J. Edwards. He announced his commitment to the Vols Thursday on CBS Sports HQ and confirmed it on Twitter.

Phillips’ commitment gives Barnes tons of options now in the lineup. With Brandon Huntley-Hatfield transferring and John Fulkerson gone, he could move Josiah-Jordan James to the four and start Phillips at the three when Olivier Nkamhoua comes back. Jonas Aidoo and Uros Plavsic could back them up.

Also, James and Santiago Vescovi testing the NBA Draft waters aren’t the significant killers they would have been if either decides to stay in the draft. The additions of Phillips and Indiana State Sycamores transfer Tyreke Key help offset that.

Barnes still has work to do in the post, but he’s set in the backcourt. If James and Vescovi both come back, he’ll be loaded with options. Those two along with Key, Zakai Zeigler and Edwards already makes for a solid rotation. Phillips would then be the standout superstar over all of them. Here’s a look at his highlight reel.

As you can see, Phillips is the perfect type of wing to play for Barnes. He can pull up from three, has a good bit of athleticism to lay down dunks and can rebound under the basket. Putting on some weight while maintaining his athleticism will be the key for him on Rocky Top.

Either way, though, he’s a home run for UT. Before playing in Missouri’s Taney County, Phillips played at Blythewood High School in Richland County, S.C., just northeast of Columbia. Ironically, James is from South Carolina too, so that state may have the Vols’ two star wings in 2022-2023.

With Phillips’ commitment, Tennessee basketball still has three scholarships available. Barnes will likely use the transfer portal on those, potentially adding another combo guard, but he now needs to focus on adding one more big man who can play the five. Then his team will be complete.