Robert Morris men’s basketball made a splash to close the week by adding a new transfer to the roster. Former Evansville forward Preston Phillips announced his commitment to the Colonials on Friday.
An incoming junior, the 6-foot-8 Phillips started five of the 18 games he appeared in for the Aces during the 2022-23 campaign. In 19 minutes per game, Phillips averaged 4.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and shot 54% from the floor on 28-of-54 shooting.
He averaged more minutes during his freshman year (21.9) than year two in the program and played a more valuable role in the rotation. Phillips started 15 of 28 matchups but struggled to find the bottom of the basket. The Elkhart, Indiana, native made 26-of-62 attempts from the floor (42%), a staggering 4-of-21 (19%) from three and struggled at the free-throw line (53.3%). In double the attempts, Phillips steadily improved at the line, 18-of-31 (58%) by a slim margin.
In 46 games (20 starts) spanning two years for Evansville, Phillips averaged 3.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and totaled 47 assists, 35 steals and 22 blocks. He only reached double-figure point totals twice during his career in the Missouri Valley, occurring twice in the span of three games in mid-February.
Evansville closed the year 5-27 overall and 1-19 in MVC play. The Colonials laid eyes on Phillips during their Nov. 24 matchup against the Aces in Savannah, Georgia. Evansville stunned Robert Morris in a 54-53 victory, outscoring the Colonials 29-16 in the second half. Phillips started the contest and played 21 minutes. He scored two points on 1-of-2 shooting.
Phillips was named the 2020 Basketball Player of the Year in Elkhart County during his high school days and also earned the Most Improved Player award in 2019. He also earned All-Conference honors in tennis and played baseball.
RMU signed former LSU guard Justice Williams earlier in the transfer cycle, one of, if not the top recruit in program history. The Colonials closed the season 16-17 overall and 10-10 in Horizon League play.
Andy Toole’s team lost Enoch Cheeks and Michael Green III to the transfer portal and Kahliel Spear graduated to leave significant scoring opportunities in the Colonials’ lineup. The program will face Xavier in Cincinnati to begin the 2023-24 campaign.
