One of the top overall prospects in America has landed at a new prep program. Currently ranked as the nation's #26 overall prospect in the country's 2024 Class by ESPN, 6-foot-4, 195-pound senior guard Jamari Phillips (University of Arizona commit) has decided to change prep programs in his senior season. Phillips decided to leave his previous AZ Compass Prep program just before the start to the prep season, and has now landed at Dream City Christian Prep, where he will spend his senior season before playing for the Arizona Wildcats.
Phillips gave an early pledge to University of Arizona Head Coach Tommy Lloyd and his coaching staff as a junior. He then joined AZ Compass Prep last season in the middle of the season, and immediately stepped in, and helped lead the program to a runner-up finish for the National Championship in the GEICO National Tournament Phillips then looked to start the season this year with AZ Compass, until he decided to leave the program just before the start to the prep season. This past weekend, Phillips helped lead his new Dream City Christian program to a tournament championship at the Flight Club Invitational, before helping the team to a big 129-65 victory over Ascending Life Prep on Wednesday evening.
"I am having a good time," said Phillips after his team's big win on Wednesday evening.
Phillips advised me that he already felt comfortable with his new teammates, and that he was looking forward to finishing his high school career with his club teammate and future Arizona Wildcat teammate, 7-foot-1 senior post Emmanuel Stephen (University of Arizona commit). Stephen and Phillips played together this spring and summer with Paul George Elite (CA), and now will have the opportunity to play together for a prep season, before going to the next level.
Phillips will be a nice prospect for the Wildcats, as he is a pure scorer with a pure shooting stroke and a scorer's mentality. He has a nice ability to create his own shot and score, and also catch and shoot the ball with excellent range. While he is still looking to become more consistent from longer ranges, he is a handful in the mid-range, where he is able to score around and over defenders, as a result of his explosiveness off the dribble. He is a strong finisher at the rim and also good in the open floor, where he thrives. He is a good rebounder from the guard position, although he does need to focus more on this area of his game, because he has the ability to be better in this area. He is a strong ball handler and can get to where he wants on the floor, but he needs to be more consistent with his passes to set up his teammates for easier shots. He has a bright future ahead, as he still has upside and is still growing into his long frame. He should blossom over time.
I will continue to follow Phillips and his Dream City teammates, and bring you any updates on him and his new program throughout the prep season.
