Modesto Christian standout Jamari Phillips to transfer to Arizona Compass Prep
A rough start to the 2022-23 basketball season just got rougher for the Modesto Christian boys basketball team. Four-star guard and University of Arizona commit Jamari Phillips will transfer to Arizona Compass Prep.
Phillip’s dad, James Phillips, says while the family had been contacted by other schools in the past about Phillips they didn’t fully entertain them. The intention was always to keep Phillips local for as long as possible. In fact, the decision to attend AZ Compass Prep came as recently as earlier this week as Phillips attended practice Saturday and had every intention on staying.
“We were locked in on him finishing this year at MC,” James Phillips said. “This was definitely a tough decision because it wasn’t what we were necessarily about.
“It’s tough, because we had it in our minds set for Jamari to be there all four years. Jamari really wanted to come back this year and try to win state.”
Phillips, a 1,000 point scorer in just two seasons at Modesto Christian, averaged a team-high 23 points last season for the team that won a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title and a Northern California Open Division Regional championship. He earned The Bee’s Player of the Year award after his sophomore season.
Phillips has played in only three games this season with the Crusaders due to a foot injury suffered in the season opener against Coronado of Henderson, Nev.
“Arizona Compass is one of the top programs in the country ... so, I get it, there’s no hard feelings,” Modesto Christian coach Brice Fantazia said. “We wish him and his family nothing but the best. They have been very transparent with me for about a year and a half now.”
After talking it over, Jamari and his parents decided transferring would benefit his future, but the things he was able to accomplish as a Crusader will always be remembered.
“This is a different age in high school basketball with all these schools that have different resources ... and they’ve had schools from all over the country contacting them, and they’ve always been honest with me,” Fantazia said. “This was something that they couldn’t pass up, and I’m happy for him. Jamari will always be a NorCal Open Division Champion to us.”
The schedule at Arizona Compass Prep is rigorous and includes multiple basketball workouts, weight lifting and playing a national schedule in addition to added academic help to balance the challenges of being a high level student athlete. It is what the Phillips family felt was needed to help Jamari’s game grow. Instead of being the “big dog” at Modesto Christian, he will compete against top level players in practice and during games in Arizona that will help him prepare for the next level.
“If Jamari was 6-foot-8, he’d stay there and it would be a no-brainer,” James Phillips said. “When you’re 6-foot-3, you’re not necessarily that eye catcher. Everything’s got to go right at 6-foot-3 and you need things to help push it the right way. We felt that Arizona Compass has things in place that’s going to help him.
“You just can’t beat that for a kid that wants to be a pro and people think he has a chance of doing it.”
What’s next for MC?
Modesto Christian experienced a similar situation in 2020 when top guard Oziyah Sellers left for Southern California Academy. He is now at USC.
“No one feels sorry for us, and we don’t feel sorry for ourselves,” Fantazia said. “We’re gonna go out there and compete and do what Modesto Christian always has done and compete for championships.”
Seniors BJ Davis, a San Diego State commit, Jalen Brown and Prince Oseya will have to continue to carry the offensive load for the Crusaders. Daruis Smith who returned this year after ACL surgery forced him to miss last season and was one of the team’s leading scorers. They also have youth in their rotation with sophomore Zeke Davis and freshman Rashod Cotton.
“I think with BJ, Jalen and Prince, we kind of know what we’re gonna get,” Fantazia said. “Darius Smith ... was our leading scorer so that obviously helps a lot but the young guys have to grow up. When you’re in a Modesto Christian uniform, no one cares if you’re a freshman or sophomore, there’s still expectations and you still have to perform. There’s gonna be more opportunity for them and they’re gonna have to grow up quick.”
