Phoenix's Phipps picks GCU to grow game

Styles Phipps is thriving as a basketball player at a Phoenix faith-based school with a tradition of basketball success and a boisterous student section.

Why not keep it that way?

Phipps, a four-star point guard from St. Mary's High School, signed with Grand Canyon to shift his talents about 7 miles for a program with NCAA tournament trips and a renown game-night atmosphere.

"It was the genuine connection that I had with the coaches, which has been building since my freshman year," Phipps said. "Being that it's my hometown, my family and friends could come to games and I can build my name up in Arizona. And the environment there is crazy."

Phipps, at 6 feet 2 and 185 pounds, received offers from Auburn, Boston College, California, Iowa State, Missouri, TCU and Washington, but the right fit was in his backyard to join a program with a departing point guard, Jovan Blacksher Jr.

"Styles is a scoring point guard who has a real good feel for the game," GCU head coach Bryce Drew said. "His pass and ball-handling ability should translate right away into our system of play."

After going to several games last season, Midnight Madness twice and games this season, Phipps envisioned his fit on GCU's campus, in the program and in games. He felt "welcomed" in and out of basketball circles and enjoyed the Havocs, an exponentially expanded version of his high school's Bleacher Creatures.

"I was very excited watching games," Phipps said. "Any time I watch basketball, I picture myself on the court, seeing what I could do or how I could help my team Styles Phipps at St. Mary's

. I'm excited to watch every game I can go to, getting ready for next season. They've all been the same atmosphere. Same energy. I just love it."

Last season for state quarterfinalist St. Mary's, Phipps averaged 29 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three steals per game while shooting 35% from 3-point range for St. Mary's coach Damin Lopez, who was a standout point guard and assistant coach at Pepperdine.

With playmaker skills and a mid-range jumper, Phipps posted a 48-point game as a junior against state champion Perry but is also regarded as a lockdown defender.

His father, Simon, is an assistant coach at St. Mary's and was a standout collegiate guard for Point Loma. He put his son around the game since he was a baby, when Phipps sat calmly in a courtside car seat for his father's pickup games.

Phipps' signing gives GCU two four-star recruits entering the program next summer. Phipps attended this year's Midnight Madness with Austin Maurer, the 7-foot center from Oregon who also signed with the Lopes last week.

"I'm a talented point guard who is a winning point guard," Phipps said. "I'll do whatever it takes to win, whether it's scoring, passing or getting out there on the defensive end. I'm an all-around player.

"I just knew GCU was the right fit. I'm excited to watch what they can do this year and make a run in the tournament. I'm grateful to have that school to go to next year."

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jovan Blacksher Jr.

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