COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Tennessee transfer Cade Phillips has joined the Texas A&M men’s basketball roster this offseason, bringing size, SEC experience and a longstanding relationship with Aggies head coach Bucky McMillan.
Phillips, who is from Jacksonville, Alabama, said the direction of this program and his history with McMillan made the decision straightforward.
“The momentum that this program is gaining, it was hard to say no,” Phillips said.
McMillan and Phillips share a connection that predates college basketball. McMillan, also from Alabama, recruited Phillips during his time coaching at Samford.
“I’ve known Cade since he was 14,” McMillan said. “I think I offered him his first offer when I was at Samford. Cade’s a winner. He knows what it takes to win and he’ll be a leader for us.”
Phillips said that shared background played a role in his choice.
“Right now, in today’s day and age of college basketball is hectic,” Phillips said. “So, being from the Birmingham area and him being from Birmingham and coaching through there, obviously instantly drew me near to here.”
Texas A&M sought more length and physicality heading into the new season. Phillips said he plans to address that need directly.
“You have to be able to win shootouts against Alabama and win the rock fights against Florida,” Phillips said. “To be able to bring both the speed, bring the physicality, and then whatever the game needs, I’ll give.”
As summer workouts continue, Phillips said the biggest adjustment has been adapting to McMillan’s fast-paced Bucky Ball.
“We get up and down a lot in practice and everything is 90 miles per hour,” Phillips said. “So, being able to get used to making decisions faster, that has been the biggest difference.”
Phillips said the roster, built largely from new additions, is unified around a single objective.
“We’re all here on one mission and that’s to win the next basketball game,” Phillips said. “I think everybody on this team knows it and they know that we have to come together.”
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