Prospect Watch: Phillip Russell (2020)
Class of 2020 point guard Phillip Russell of Vashon enjoyed a very productive summer which resulted in him receiving a few early Division I scholarship offers.
The 5’10” Russell put in some good work as a member of the the Brad Beal 16U team that played in the Nike EYBL younger division. He received his first offer from Valparaiso during the summer. He was also one of the top five players at the SEMO Elite Camp in Cape Girardeau. He earned a scholarship offer from SEMO after that camp.
“I was so excited about the Valparaiso offer,” he said. “It really meant a lot to me because it was my first one. Playing well at the camps was important to me because it helps to put my name out there even more.”
As the 2019 season approaches, Russell is back to the business of playing point guard for the Vashon Wolverines, who figure to have one of the top teams in the state this season. He is a slick ball handler with good quickness, but his strength his shooting the basketball. He is capable of breaking open a game with his 3-point shooting.
Russell had a big breakout performance early in his sophomore season when he made six 3-pointers in a showdown against Class 5 power Chaminade in the featured game at the Ramey Basketball Shootout at Webster Groves.
“My strengths are my shooting, reading a ball screen and my defense,” he said. “I also have a pretty good basketball IQ.”
As a sophomore, Russell averaged 11 points a game in helping Vashon to a district championship and a berth in the Class 4 sectional playoffs. Although the Wolverines won 20 games last season, their goal is to win a state championship. They were denied a chance to win a third consecutive state title by a veteran St. Mary’s team. Russell and his teammates are determined to get back into the winner’s circle.
“Our goal is to win state,” he said. “That’s all I want to do is win.”