NC State Basketball Gets Commitment from Top-25 Center, Shawn Phillips

Keatts needed to land a big recruit…and he literally got one.

Shawn Phillips, 2022 4-Star, committed to NC State Wednesday afternoon, bringing size to the Wolfpack lineup. After a couple offseasons of smaller Guards and mid-sized Forward additions, Phillips brings his athletic, 7′ frame to Raleigh. At one point, he was as high as Top-40 in the nation, according to 247Sports.

In all honesty, he’s a great, future transition from Bates. Phillips moves well and is fundamentally sound defensively. He is comparable to Bates in blocking, but could see increased rebound and scoring capabilities. Most importantly, keeping in mind Keatts’ system, Phillips has a good motor for running the floors for a true five.

Will he be a starter from the get-go? Probably not, but the minutes will be there for the taking.

A solid pickup by State in a much needed roster gap.