Cougars Sign Ex-Oregon Guard Jamari Phillips, Boost Backcourt via Portal

Jamari Phillips, a guard who spent the last two seasons with the Oregon Ducks, has committed to the Washington State Cougars, becoming another intriguing transfer portal addition in what has been a busy offseason for coach David Riley’s program.

Over his two-year stint with the Ducks, Phillips averaged 2.7 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. His efficiency was a clear concern, as he shot just 29.8% from the field and 28.9% from three-point range. Those struggles carried over into advanced metrics as well - Phillips ranked near the bottom of Oregon’s roster in box plus-minus, finishing 13th out of 15 players last season and 15th out of 16 during his freshman year. Simply put, his production did not match the expectations that came with his recruiting profile.

But while Phillips’ raw numbers at Oregon don’t immediately stand out and he didn’t meet expectations in Eugene, his background and potential make him a noteworthy pickup for Riley and his staff.