Volunteer Country

Breaking: Vols Land 2023 Standout PF Cade Phillips

Vols Basketball Breaking: Vols Land 2023 Standout PF Cade Phillips

Jack Foster

Tennessee basketball has landed another recruit with the commitment of 2023 four-star big man Cade Phillips out of Alabama, Joe Tipton of On3 reports. 

Phillips announced his commitment at Jacksonville High School, choosing the Volunteers over Auburn, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Georgia. 

Phillips received an offer from Tennessee when taking his official visit to Rocky Top last November. Tennessee is the only school Phillips took an official visit.  

Phillips, a member of the Class 4A First-Team All-State Roster, as voted by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, serves as a 6’9”, 200-pound addition to the post for Rick Barnes’ squad. Per 247 sports' composite rankings, Phillips is ranked as a four-star recruit and 78th nationally, the 14th best power forward in his class and the top power forward out of Alabama. Per On3's ratings, Phillips is also a four-star recruit, the best in his position from Alabama and the 16th best power forward in his class

247 Sports’ recruiting analyst Brandon Jenkins’ analysis on Phillips is below. 

“Phillips is a prospect who I find very intriguing because he plays a style of basketball that I find extremely exciting and translatable. Phillips is notably a ferocious player around the basket. He gets off the floor extremely well and utilizes his great length to extend and play above the rim with malicious intent. He has great athleticism and always is aggressive in trying to tip dunk offensive rebounds. With him being light on his feet, he runs the floor hard and extremely well and his bouncy athleticism allows for him to be all over the rim at any given chance. Phillips still has ways to go in terms of developing his offensive skillset, but he is one of the best there is in the 2023 national class with his basket protection and rim-running game.”

The Rainbow City, Alabama, native marks the second big man the Vols have landed in the 2023 class, joining New York product Tobe Awaka. 

College athletics are in Phillips’ family, as Cade’s father is John David Phillips, a former quarterback for Alabama. His uncle, Brodie Croyle, was an Alabama and NFL quarterback, and Phillips' grandfather played for Alabama when Bear Bryant was at the helm. Phillips' mother, Reagan Phillips, played basketball at Alabama. 

Phillips' impact figures to be significant for Tennessee right away, and his impact on the Jacksonville High School Golden Eagles is clear, as Phillips helped lead Jacksonville to their first state title in program history this past season. 

After losing multiple scholarship players for the upcoming fall, Barnes and the rest of the Tennessee Basketball staff has done well to bolster up the 2022 class with additions of five-star Julian Phillips, D.J. Jefferson and B.J. Edwards, along with transfer Tyreke Key. And looking forward to the ‘23 class, the Vols now have one major addition with Phillips to pair with Awaka, although Awaka could re-classify to the 2022 class. 

Highlights from Phillips in high school can be found here.

Did you know Volunteer Country on SI does Podcasts? Check out the staff's latest breakdowns here.

Volunteer Country on SI is also on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Check out any of the links to ensure you do not miss any of the coverage of your favorite Tennessee teams!

You can follow the staff, Matt, Jake, Dale and Jack on Twitter by clicking any of their names.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Vols targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects

Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.

Cover Photo courtesy Mickey Welsh

Published
Jack Foster
JACK FOSTER

Jack is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville majoring in Journalism/Electronic Media. Jack grew up in Paris, Tennessee, but now spends the majority of his time in Knoxville doubling as a student and sports journalist for Volunteer Country. Jack has been a sports junkie since he was a young kid and always watched NFL football with his dad on Sundays. Jack still follows the NFL religiously, as he is an avid fantasy football player. Jack started with Volunteer Country in May of 2021 and has since helped provide full coverage of football, baseball and men's and women's basketball. Jack also works as a recurring member of WUTK's Rock Solid Sports show on Wednesdays and Fridays, and he also serves as head sports producer of The Volunteer Channel's Vol News, a student-run show at the University. When Jack is not watching or covering sports, find him on the golf course or back home spending time with his parents, younger sister and friends. Follow Jack on Twitter and Instagram by clicking "Twitter" and "Instagram" to see all of his work with Volunteer Country as well as student media.