Former Mizzou big man signs NBA Summer League deal

NEW ORLEANS, La. (KMIZ)

After spending one season at Mizzou, center Shawn Phillips Jr. signed his first professional contract, on Thursday, following the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft.

The former Tiger big man signed a Summer League deal with the New Orleans Pelicans - a temporary agreement that gives undrafted rookies and unsigned free agents a roster spot to play in NBA Summer League and show off their skills.

With Thursday's signing, the 7-foot center joined his former teammate Mark Mitchell, who signed an Exhibit-10 deal with Denver, in Tigers to sign with an NBA team after their final season in the black and gold.

Phillips Jr. made the most of his one season in Columbia, starting in 31 games during the 2025-26 season. In that time, he averaged 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He also ranked fifth in the SEC and 69th nationally with an average of 1.52 blocks per game. Additionally, his field-goal mark of 68.3 percent is the second-best clip in school history.

In 106 collegiate games at Mizzou, LSU and Arizona State, Phillips totaled 561 points, 442 rebounds and 114 blocks.