Prospect Spotlight: Kaiden Phillips (2020)
With great size and length, Kaiden Phillips has surfaced this season as an up-and-coming player in Iowa’s Class of 2020, and is helping Davenport Central to its best start in many years.
The 6-foot-5 guard predicates his game on defense, and is a capable scorer. His rangy and tall frame makes him a versatile threat.
“I’m lengthy and long and I can play great defense on the ball and get good pressure,” said Phillips. “I’m a good shooter and I can dribble, and I’m quicker than the bigs that are around me.”
He’s working to develop his stamina and says remaining active throughout the entirety of a game is a primary goal of his.
“Sometimes when I get tired I have to come out of the game, and that’s not good for me or my teammates,” said Phillips. “I need to get my motor better and get it so I can go non-stop.”
For the No. 9 Blue Devils this season, the junior wing is averaging 10.2 points per game, rendering him the team’s third-leading scorer. Phillips says the team’s success is a direct result of the work he and his teammates put in this offseason.
“We started early in the summer, and after last season’s hardships we felt bad. And all of the seniors brought all of us in, so we could work together as a team instead of individuals. We lifted, we stayed in the gym all morning through the afternoon, it was a long hard process,” said Phillips.
“My role on the team is to be a defensive stopper, I need to guard the other team’s best player and just need to lock him down.”
This coming spring and summer, Philips plans to play grassroots ball, but doesn’t know yet who he’ll play with. Right now, he’s focused on his school and grades, and not worrying too much about recruitment.
But this summer could be big for his exposure and recruitment.
“This offseason is going to be one of my toughest years,” said Phillips. “I’m going to put in a lot of work before my senior season, and I’m ready for it.”