Julian Phillips Showed Promise During NBA Summer League

The Chicago Bulls saw some good things out of former Tennessee Volunteers forward Julian Phillips during this season's summer league.

In the 2023 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls obtained former Tennessee Vol Julian Phillips via the 35th overall pick made by the Boston Celtics. Phillips had received plenty of stock for the draft because of his lengthy build and potential ability to score with ease on the wing.

The Bulls were looking to see some of that spark from Phillips in the summer league, and there were glimpses of it. He played 97 minutes throughout four games and had numbers that show potential in his up-and-coming years in the NBA. He shot 56.3% (9-16) percent from the field and an efficient 44.4% from three-point range. This, in particular, was good to see since Phillips shot just 23% from three in his one season on Rocky Top.

Phillips did not look shy when taking shots from all places on the floor. He was ready to take any opportunities that he came across. Two areas that looked shaky for Phillips were the free throw line and discipline on defense. He shot 57% from the line during the summer league. Initially, this could have looked better, but it was only on nine total attempts. At Tennessee, he shot 82% at the stripe after a full season, so the free throw shooting may be better as the regular season progresses.

Regarding his defense, Phillips got into foul trouble often as he averaged 4 per game totaling 16 throughout the four-game span during the summer league. This can come from many things, including that Phillips is just starting to get used to the pace the NBA plays at. Regardless, the defense will be something to key in on for Phillips this season with Chicago. There are some things to work on, but Phillips began to show the great things he can offer to his team at the next level.

Chicago Bulls F Julian Phillips during the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Illinois, on May 17, 2023. (Photo by David Banks of USA Today Sports)

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