Former Belmont center Shawn Phillips picks LSU

Shawn Phillips Jr., the former Belmont High School center who completed his high school career in Arizona, announced his commitment to LSU on Tuesday.

Phillips, the 50th-ranked prospect in the class of 2022, according to Rivals.com, originally committed to N.C. State in September. He decommitted from N.C. State on April 18 and narrowed his new list of choices to LSU, Georgetown, Miami and Kansas State — as well as the Overtime Elite League — on May 5.

The 7-foot Phillips, whose nickname is “Baby Shaq,” will join an LSU roster that has been revamped under first-year coach Matt McMahon, who replaced the fired Will Wade in March. The team has three returner players, four 2022 recruits, including Phillips, and six transfers. Phillips filled the 13th and final scholarship.

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“We are excited to welcome 7-foot forward Shawn Phillips to the LSU family,” McMahon said in a press release. “Shawn is a physical, tough, and competitive addition to our front court. He is a shot-blocking rim protector and active rebounder on the defensive end of the court. With his size and mobility, he is a strong finisher around the rim. We love the development in his game over the last two years and look forward to coaching him in Baton Rouge.”

Phillips attended Belmont until transferring to Ypsi Prep Academy in Michigan in 2020. He announced last July he would attend Dream City Christian in Glendale, Ariz., for his senior year.