Joshua Phillips Playing Big Role For Mocs Basketball Team After Coming Over From UTC Football Team

Chattanooga-(WDEF) Joshua Phillips began his college athletic career playing basketball at MTSU.
He then transferred to UTC in 20-16 to play football.
When the Mocs finished their gridiron campaign this season, Phillips decided to join the Mocs basketball team.
Good thing he did because in the last three games, he has basically been the only option in the post thanks to a rash of injuries.
Mocs coach Lamont Paris admits Joshua Phillips wasn’t really on his radar.
Said Paris: “I got a text from him during the season toward the very very end. I ignored it completely.”
But it’s hard to ignore an athletic 6’8, 245-pound big man for long.
Said Paris: “When I first saw him, just on size alone. If he could listen and learn, then he would definitely be able to help us on a defensive end, even if he couldn’t make a layup.”
Said Philips: “I had talked to Coach Paris and he didn’t promise me any minutes. he told me I could play zero, and I could play forty. I just took him at his word and things kind of worked out the best way possible I guess.”
Best indeed for Phillips.
He became a starter in league play due to a rash of injuries to Mocs post players.
Said Philips: “We’ll watch film and we see the bench. It’s just two people sitting there just to sub in. It’s just funny to me sometimes. I didn’t really think I was going to start coming straight from football into basketball, but I’m really appreciative of the start.”
Phillips has played in 11 games starting six.
He’s now the 4th leading scorer on the team, averaging close to ten points a game.
All that playing time has affected him physically.
Said Phillips: “I think I’ve lost like 10 or 12 pounds since I’ve been back playing basketball.”
Given all of UTC’s injuries, imagine if Phillips has not joined the team.
Said Paris: “I try not to. It was just at the right time. It worked out really well for him.”
Got to respect a collegiate athlete who plays both football and basketball.
Said Paris: “It’s just a lot to learn. We’re glad to have some commitment to doing that.”