Tennessee forward Julian Phillips staying in 2023 NBA Draft

Former Tennessee forward Julian Phillips is keeping his name in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to a report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Phillips spent one year at Tennessee, where he averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 forward started all 32 games he played.

Earlier this month, Phillips had entered the transfer portal. However, that was prior to his performance at the NBA Combine, where he clearly turned enough heads to want to keep his name in the draft.

He finished his high school career at Branson (Mo.) Link Year Prep after starting out in his hometown at Blythewood (S.C.) High. Phillips was a five-star prospect coming out of high school in 2022 class. He was the No. 13 overall recruit and No. 4 small forward in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

More on the 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Round 1 of the draft will be announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, while Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum is expected to handle the second round of picks.

To be eligible for the NBA Draft, players must be at least 19 years in age during the calendar year that the draft is held and at least one NBA season from their high school graduation date, or the date that would have been if they are not graduated. It is not required that player spend that one year playing college basketball, though. Players can play in either college, abroad, or the G League Ignite if they choose so.

While this is a significant change from what the rules once were, players are eligible to enter their names into the NBA Draft pool and explore their options by hiring an agent to go through the process, while still keeping their college eligibility. The deadline to make that move is on April 23 beginning at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The NBA Draft Lottery was held on May 16, which was also the start of the NBA Conference Finals. The San Antonio Spurs won the lottery.