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Julian Phillips lists UCLA men's basketball in top 10 following July offer

The 6-foot-8 power forward would be the Bruins' first non-guard commit of their 2022 class

Sam Connon

(Photo Courtesy of Phenom Hoop Report)

The Bruins are starting to target some length, and one major prospect is showing mutual interest.

Class of 2022 power forward Julian Phillips released his top 10 finalists Monday, with UCLA men's basketball making the cut alongside Alabama, Kansas, LSU, Florida State, Tennessee, Clemson, Florida, Virginia and USC. The 6-foot-8 tweener from Blythewood High School (SC) got his UCLA offer on July 8, but had apparently been in contact with the team for several months at that point.

Phillips told Phenom Hoop Report's Patrick O'Brien in early June that the Bruins were one of the teams that was showing very strong interest, and that interest seems to go both ways now.

Phillips also had offers from Arizona State, Boston College, DePaul, Indiana, Wake Forest and several other high-major programs.

A four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite ratings, Phillips ranks No. 25 in the country and No. 2 at his position based on that metric. ESPN and 247Sports have him rated four stars and ranked No. 30 and 36, respectively, while Rivals lists him as a five-star recruit ranked No. 21 in the nation.

Phillips is best known for his explosive athleticism, high basketball IQ and sound playmaking abilities on the fast break. He took a major leap last summer, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game with Upward Stars Southeast (SC).

UCLA already has two commits in its 2022 class – combo guards Amari Bailey and Dylan Andrews – which is already ranked No. 1 in the Pac-12 and No. 5 in the country. The lack of length and size in the class is notable, however, especially considering both of the incoming 2021 freshman are also guards and wings.

Phillips is by no means a dominant post presence, but his versatile frame could be an interesting weapon for coach Mick Cronin to utilize moving forward.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon was the Publisher and Managing Editor at Sports Illustrated and FanNation’s All Bruins from 2021 to 2023. He is now a staff writer at Sports Illustrated and FanNation’s Fastball. He previously covered UCLA football, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, men's soccer, cross country and golf for The Daily Bruin from 2017 to 2021, serving as the paper's Sports Editor from 2019 to 2020. Connon has also been a contributor for 247Sports' Bruin Report Online, Rivals' BruinBlitz, Dash Sports TV, SuperWestSports, Prime Time Sports Talk, The Sports Life Blog and Patriots Country, Sports Illustrated and FanNation’s New England Patriots site. His work as a sports columnist has been awarded by the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon graduated from UCLA in June 2021 and is originally from Winchester, Massachusetts.