Recruiting Report: Jaren Phillips (2019)
Tampa Prep 2019 guard Jaren Phillips sure doesn’t look like a player who is only going to be a sophomore. He plays beyond his years. The 6’5″ jumbo guard averaged 12.3 points per game while shooting 53 percent from the…
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Continue ReadingTampa Prep 2019 guard Jaren Phillips sure doesn’t look like a player who is only going to be a sophomore. He plays beyond his years. The 6’5″ jumbo guard averaged 12.3 points per game while shooting 53 percent from the field in his first high school season. Phillips reached double digits in all but five games. He showed confidence in his shot and wasn’t afraid to mix it up with the older guys.
“This past season at Prep was a learning experience for me. I was surrounded by a ton of good guys who all pushed me hard at all times. I’ve learned a lot especially from Tyson [Ward] and Juwan [Durham]. They are both very intelligent Division-I players so they really helped my IQ. I got freshman of the year so I can’t complain. I feel like we are gonna come back stronger next year and get a ring.
How would he break down his own game?
“I have an all around game. I can shoot the three, create for myself and others, rebound and push the ball up court and get to the basket and finish through contact. One part of my game that people don’t really notice is my ability to get out on fast breaks and score. There are so many components to my game, that’s why I feel so confident about it.”
“I always have a plan B and I feel like to be a great player you have to have that plan B and C if need be, but I have a lot of room for improvement. I was in a shooting slump at the beginning of the season and as the year went along I found my shot after 100’s of hours of shooting.”
Phillips says he wants to get his teammates more involved this season as his role increases even further. He averaged 2.2 assists per game as a freshman. His main focus is making his shot automatic, getting his handle a little bit higher and bringing his IQ up for this season.
He plays for Nike South Beach in the EYBL circuit. Phillips calls it a big change from AAU ball because the game is faster and the level of competition is higher. Also a note, EYBL features a shot clock which AAU or high school ball doesn’t have.
“So far it’s going pretty good I’ve been playing well. There’s a great support system there. They have everything me and my teammates could possibly need in order to be great thanks to coach Boobie. He’s been watching over me, mentoring me and staying in my ear to make sure I go down the right path. The coaching staff is top notch and everything is professional which is how I like it. I feel like a young voluntary NBA player but I’m enjoying it. God is good.”
Entering his sophomore season, Phillips has already drawn interest from six schools including Virginia Tech, Alabama, Kennesaw State, NJIT, Missouri-Kansas City and Niagra. As he furthers his overall game, expect him to be able to pick from a long list of suitors.