Jordan Phillips to visit Arkansas hoops program this weekend

Jordan Phllips

— Cedar Hill, Texas, basketball standout Jordan Phillips doesn’t worry about whether people call him a small forward or a big guard.

What Phillips (6-7, 210) - who is scheduled to officially visit head coach Mike Anderson’s Arkansas program this weekend along with Henderson, NV., Findlay Prep forward Reggie Chaney (6-8, 230) - wants most to be labeled versatile.

“Coach Anderson has told me he wants to have me move all around the perimeter because of my versatility,” Phillips said. “I think of myself as a big guard, but feel like I can play anywhere a coach puts me and that I will succeed at that spot.”

Arkansas had an in-home visit with Phillips on Monday.

“It went very well,” Phillips said. “Impressive coaching staff. They’re really cool.”

Phillips has the ability to shoot, handle the ball and play physical against small guards.

“That’s my advantage being 6-7 and being a guard,” he said. “That’s what I got to do — be physical and get those smaller guys off of me. I feel like a real versatile guard. I feel like I can do anything coach wants me to do and get the win. Knock down shots handle the ball if I need to and rebound.”

Phillips, who averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds for the 29-5 Longhorns as a junior, has a 3.5 grade point average and has plans to major in business.

“I know Arkansas has a great business school,” Phillips said.

He says he has developed a strong bond with Anderson and assistants Melvin Watkins, Scotty Thurman and T.J. Cleveland.

“I’m just really intrigued with the coaching staff, the whole coaching staff - Coach Anderson, Coach Watkins, Coach Thurman and Coach Cleveland,” Phillips said. “They all just keep in touch with me and that’s the real heart of the relationship I have with the coaches.

“They also talk to me about how well I would could fit in their system and how they would help me be successful off the basketball floor as well. I am looking forward to seeing the campus and everything Arkansas has to offer.”

He is hearing from other players and coaches about Arkansas.

“I am going to look into it more when I get down there but as far as the team, everybody tells me that it is a school that I should look at since they play the way that I do,” Phillips said. “Coach Anderson just tells me how he is going to care for me and treat me like a son, which are good words coming from the head coach. Arkansas is pretty big on my list.”

Those in his ear include his trainer, who graduated from Arkansas.

“My trainer actually went there,” Phillips said. “He’s real entertained about the fact of me going there.”

Phillips, who averaged 23 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals for his Dallas Showtyme AAU squad this spring and summer, has already taken an official visit to Fresno State.

After visiting Arkansas, Phillips has another official visit set to Virginia Tech on Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

He is also considering TCU, Oklahoma State, Georgetown, Kansas State, Arizona State and Iowa State.

“I just got back from Fresno State and I haven't set up any visits other than those three so far,” Phillips said. “The Fresno State visit went real good. It was real nice. I really don’t know the other visits I am going to take for sure but will probably take one to Georgetown.”

Phillips had originally decided to sign in the spring late signing period, but is now reconsidering that and could ink his letter of intent in the Nov. 8-15 signing period.

“I’m thinking that if it is the right fit that I am not going to wait until the late signing period,” Phillips said. “It’s just going to be when it feels right and that certainly be during the early period.”