The Bowling Green State University men’s basketball program and head coach Todd Simon announced the signing of Da’Shawn Phillip on Wednesday.
Phillip, a 6-foot-5 guard, will join the Falcons after spending the last four seasons at Maryland Eastern Shore. A native of Baltimore, Md., Phillip started all 58 of the Hawks’ games over the last two seasons, averaging 9.5 points per game over the two-year stretch. Phillip ended his time at UMES ranked fourth all-time in total steals, ninth all-time in defensive rebounds and 10th all-time in minutes played.
“Da’Shawn brings a tenacity and energy level defensively that will raise our level of play on that end,” Simon said. “Offensively, Da’Shawn has a very good basketball IQ with a knack for cutting, spacing and creating shots for others. He is very quick and athletic which is a great fit for our uptempo style of player. His experience as a veteran player with a ton of minutes played will be valuable for our team this season.”
During the 2022-23 season, Phillip was one of two Hawks to start all 31 games, averaging 9.8 points per game. He also posted the best mark on the team from the free throw line, finishing the season with a mark of 78.4 percent. Phillip concluded the year third on the team in rebounding (3.5 per game), third in steals (40), tied for fourth in assists (53) and second in blocks (9). He registered double-digit scoring figures 16 times with two 20-point games. His career-high as a Hawk came on the road against Columbia, dropping 21 points.
As for the 2021-22 campaign, Phillip was the only player for Eastern Shore to play and start all 27 games for the team, being named All-MEAC Third Team at the end of the season. Phillip led the team in total points (247), steals (39) and assists (84) while finishing in the Top 10 in the MEAC for steals per game (1.7) and assists per game (3.1). He posted 12 double-figure scoring games, including a then career-high 16 points twice. Maryland Eastern Shore opted out of the 2020-21 season.
Phillip’s collegiate career began in 2019-20, playing in 32 games for the Hawks and making 19 starts as a freshman. He earned MEAC All-Rookie team after the season in addition to being the team’s Rookie of the Year and MEAC Rookie of the Week four times. Phillip paced Eastern Shore in steals (52) and blocks (27) and finished as the only player in the conference in the Top 10 for both stats.
Phillip is the fifth player to sign with the Falcons this offseason, joining guard P.J. Edwards from UCF, center Jason Spurgin from Southern Utah, guard Trey Thomas from Vanderbilt and guard DaJion Humphrey from Garden City CC.
