Nobody Was Aware That the Tennessee Vols Had an Underappreciated Superstar on Their Roster in 2024
As the 2024 season unfolded for the Tennessee Volunteers, there was one player whose performance gradually began to capture attention, despite having largely flown under the radar. While much of the preseason talk surrounded the well-established names on the Vols’ roster and their overall team expectations, an underappreciated superstar emerged—a player whose talent and potential were often overshadowed but ultimately proved to be the key to Tennessee’s success in the 2024 campaign.
This player’s rise to prominence caught many by surprise, as they were not among the names initially touted as the team’s leading stars. However, as the season progressed, it became clear that Tennessee had a gem on their roster—someone who wasn’t just capable of making significant plays, but who became indispensable to the Vols’ success both offensively and defensively. This is the story of how Tennessee’s unsung hero helped carry the team to new heights.
The Vols’ Unheralded Superstar: Rising Through the Ranks
At the beginning of the season, there were high expectations for Tennessee, given their success in recent years and their reputation as a tough, well-coached team. The Vols had a deep roster featuring a number of talented players, but the spotlight was typically on a few stars: senior guard Santiago Vescovi, point guard Zakai Zeigler, and forward Josiah-Jordan James. While each of these players brought different strengths to the team, there was another player who quietly worked his way into the spotlight.
That player was none other than sophomore forward Julian Phillips, whose versatility and impact on both ends of the floor had largely gone unnoticed in the early stages of his Tennessee career. Despite coming into the program with a solid high school pedigree, Phillips wasn’t widely regarded as the team’s primary focal point—at least not by the outside world. Yet, over the course of the 2024 season, his contributions began to grow in both significance and consistency, as his game evolved and expanded.
A Multi-Dimensional Player
One of the things that made Phillips stand out was his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. A 6-foot-8 forward with great length and athleticism, Phillips was an excellent defender, capable of guarding multiple positions. His defensive prowess allowed Tennessee to mix up their schemes and be more aggressive on that end of the floor. He was often tasked with shutting down the opposing team’s top scorer or taking on the toughest defensive assignments, and he consistently rose to the challenge.
Offensively, Phillips was just as versatile. While not always the go-to scorer, he quickly became a reliable presence on the offensive glass, giving Tennessee extra possessions with his ability to grab rebounds and extend plays. His mid-range game improved significantly, and he was able to stretch the floor with occasional 3-pointers. As his confidence grew, Phillips became more aggressive in attacking the basket, using his athleticism to finish in transition and create opportunities for his teammates.
Phillips’ all-around game allowed him to seamlessly fit into Tennessee’s system, which prioritizes defensive intensity and balanced offensive contributions. While Vescovi and Zeigler would take the majority of the scoring responsibility, Phillips often served as the glue that held the team together. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game meant that he was rarely a liability on the floor, even when his shot wasn’t falling.
Breaking Out in Big Moments
Although Phillips’ rise to prominence was gradual, it was impossible to ignore his impact in crucial moments. As the season progressed, he started to take over games when his teammates needed him most, especially during key SEC matchups and national contests. It was in these moments that Phillips proved his worth as Tennessee’s underappreciated superstar.
In one particular game against Kentucky, with the Vols facing a significant deficit in the second half, it was Phillips who ignited the comeback. He scored 12 consecutive points for Tennessee, including a series of clutch 3-pointers, to put the Vols back in contention. His confidence and poise under pressure were on full display, and it became evident that he had the ability to be a game-changer when it mattered most.
In another critical SEC showdown, Phillips grabbed a crucial offensive rebound in the final moments and converted the putback to seal a hard-fought victory for Tennessee. These types of clutch plays highlighted his emerging leadership on the court and showcased his mental toughness—qualities that made him an invaluable asset to the Vols.
The Growing Recognition
As Phillips continued to shine throughout the season, more people began to take notice of his contributions. Initially overlooked by analysts and fans alike, he started to garner attention as one of the most well-rounded players on the team. His defensive efforts, coupled with his ability to step up in key moments, led to increased recognition within the college basketball community.
By the time March arrived and the Vols entered the NCAA tournament, Phillips had firmly established himself as a player who could contribute at the highest level. His performances were becoming more consistent, and scouts began to talk about him as one of the most underrated players in the country. He was starting to be seen not just as a role player, but as a potential future star for Tennessee—someone who could help lead the team to a deep postseason run.
Phillips’ Impact on Tennessee’s Success
While Tennessee’s success in 2024 was the result of a team effort, there’s no denying that Phillips’ emergence as an underappreciated superstar was a driving force behind the Vols’ success. His ability to step up when the team needed him most—both offensively and defensively—was a key factor in many of Tennessee’s biggest wins.
One of the most important ways Phillips impacted the Vols was in how he balanced the floor with Vescovi and Zeigler. Both Vescovi and Zeigler were talented scorers, but Phillips provided the versatility that allowed Tennessee to thrive in a variety of situations. Whether he was knocking down open shots, locking down on defense, or securing critical rebounds, Phillips was always in the mix when it counted.
His defensive presence also allowed Tennessee to be even more aggressive on that end of the floor. His ability to guard multiple positions, switch on screens, and disrupt passing lanes was crucial in making the Vols one of the best defensive teams in the SEC. In a league where defense can make or break a team’s success, Phillips’ contributions allowed Tennessee to impose their will on opponents.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Julian Phillips
As the 2024 season continued, the question was no longer whether Phillips was a star, but how high his ceiling could be. His performance on both sides of the ball had been nothing short of spectacular, and it was clear that his future in college basketball was bright. With one more year of eligibility left before he would likely enter the NBA draft, the sky was the limit for Phillips in terms of his growth and development.
The Vols were undoubtedly lucky to have a player like Phillips, whose versatility, work ethic, and unselfish play made him a perfect fit for Tennessee’s system. As the season drew closer to its conclusion, fans began to realize just how special Phillips truly was, and he became one of the most talked-about players in college basketball—finally receiving the recognition he had long deserved.