Belmont star transferring to prep academy in Michigan

Shawn Phillips is one of the nation’s top recruits in 2022 class
Belmont’s Shawn Phillips, second from left, sits behind the Dayton bench during a game against Davidson on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at UD Arena. David Jablonski/Staff

Belmont’s Shawn Phillips, second from left, sits behind the Dayton bench during a game against Davidson on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, at UD Arena. David Jablonski/Staff

Belmont High School’s Shawn Phillips Jr., a four-star recruit in college basketball’s class of 2022, has decided to transfer to Ypsi Prep Academy,  according to a Twitter post by David Ramey, a coach with the Midwest Basketball Club.

Phillips, a 6-foot-10 center, ranks 45th in the 2022 class, according to 247Sports.com. At Ypsi Prep Academy, he will be a teammate of Emoni Bates, the nation’s top-ranked 2022 recruit. Bates announced his verbal commitment to Michigan State on Monday and plans to reclassify to the 2021 class.

Ypsi Prep Academy will be located in Ypsilanti, Mich. It’s a new school started by Elgin Bates, Emoni’s father. According to reports, it will be a satellite campus of Aim High Academy, which is located in Cement City, Mich.

According to Brad Galli, of WXYZ Detroit, Phillips and Bates will be among several top recruits transferring to Ypsi Prep. Dillon Hunter, who ranks 32nd in the 2022 class, according to 247Sports.com, and Jaden Akins, who ranks 72nd in the 2021 class, are aong the others.

Phillips has been recruited by the Dayton Flyers and has received scholarship offers from Ohio State, Indiana, Auburn, Xavier and others.

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