After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, former Missouri center Shawn Phillips Jr. has signed his first professional contract, agreeing to a Summer League deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The 7-foot, 245-pound big man from Dayton, Ohio, spent one standout season in Columbia, where he started all 31 games and emerged as a reliable interior presence for the Tigers. Phillips averaged 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting an elite 68.3 percent from the field — the second-best single-season mark in Mizzou program history. He also ranked fifth in the SEC and 69th nationally with 1.52 blocks per game, showcasing the rim protection and defensive versatility that have defined his game.
Phillips’ impact extended beyond the stat sheet. He posted double-doubles, delivered clutch performances — including a game-winning basket and block in a road victory at Texas A&M — and provided steady leadership up front for a Tigers squad that made its mark in the SEC. Over his collegiate career, which included stops at LSU and Arizona State before landing at Missouri, the 22-year-old appeared in 106 games, accumulating 561 points, 442 rebounds, and 114 blocks.
Undrafted status has never been a barrier for determined bigs with size, skill, and shot-blocking pedigree, and Phillips now gets his first chance to prove himself on the NBA stage. Summer League offers a critical proving ground for undrafted free agents, where consistent production, physicality, and basketball IQ can open doors to Exhibit 10 deals, training camp invitations, or even two-way contracts.
For Phillips, the journey from four-star high school prospect (ranked No. 50 in his class by Rivals) through multiple college stops to this professional opportunity reflects resilience and steady improvement. At Missouri, he maximized his role, leading the Tigers in rebounding on multiple occasions and anchoring the paint with efficiency and timing.
The Pelicans, in search of depth and athleticism in the frontcourt, will evaluate Phillips alongside other Summer League invitees as they build toward the 2026-27 season. For Mizzou fans, it marks another Tiger making the leap to the professional ranks alongside teammate Mark Mitchell, who signed an Exhibit-10 deal with the Denver Nuggets.
