FSU basketball: 2022 five-star PF Julian Phillips picks LSU

FSU basketball head coach Leonard Hamilton was hot on the recruiting trail the past couple of weeks with three new additions.

The Noles hoped to get a fourth Friday afternoon when 2022 five-star PF Julian Phillips made his announcement.

He would have been the fourth addition to the 2022 class and the fourth consecutive class with Leonard Hamilton landing a composite five-star player. Patrick Williams (2019) and Scottie Barnes (2020) were one-and-done players selected in the first round.

Matthew Cleveland is the other five-star who will be a freshman on this year’s team. Phillips announced his decision Friday afternoon:

Commitment

Phillips ultimately choose LSU over the Noles and others. The addition of Phillips would have boosted the ‘Noles 2022 recruiting class from No. 29 to No. 11, with the possibility of adding another five-star in small forward Dillon Mitchell.

Phillips had a long relationship with FSU basketball, earning an offer on June 15, 2020. He officially visited on June 30, a couple of days after visiting LSU. I suppose in the end LSU had more to offer.

Phillips is the No. 15 player nationally and No. 2 power forward. He lists as 6’8″ and 200 pounds and brings good athleticism with a developing game. Phillips can finish with either hand around the basket and slash to the rim and make perimeter shots.

He would have fit into Leonard Hamilton’s scheme well on both sides of the ball.

Phillips also runs the floor well and excels in transition. Highlights never show players on defense, but I have seen footage of Phillips playing active and getting into passing lanes.

It’s a big miss for Leonard Hamilton, but nobody had a clue where Phillips was going to choose Friday afternoon. That’s how close to the vest he played his recruitment. The Noles will hope to reel in five-star Dillon Mitchell in hopes of boosting the 2022 recruiting class.