Andy Phillip
(1922-2001)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1961
Card Shown:
2009-10 Panini
Hall of Fame
Position: PG/SG
Height: 6’2″
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Andy Phillip began his professional basketball career in 1947 with the Chicago Stags of the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The Stags joined the NBA in 1949-50. Phillip also played for the Philadelphia Warriors, Fort Wayne Piston, and Boston Celtics during his eleven-year career.
Phillip made his team better and the game easier for those around him with his great passing and high assist totals. Along with Bob Cousy and Dick McGuire, Andy was considered one of the best playmakers of his era. He was the first player to tally over 500 assists in a season. He accomplished that feat in 1951-52 when he assisted on 539 scores.
Awards and Honors
- Phillip starred on the University of Illinois team known as the Whiz Kids in the early 1940s. He led the team to two Big Ten championships in 1942 and 1943.
- At Illinois, Phillip was named a First-Team All-American twice (1942 and 1943) and Second-Team All-American once (1947). After the 1942-43 season, in which he averaged 21.3 points per game, he was selected the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten.
- In 1943, Andy was named the Sporting News College Basketball Player of the Year.
- Phillip was a five-time NBA All-Star, with the Warriors and Pistons, during his nine-year NBA career. He also received Second Team All-NBA honors in 1952 and 1953.
- Andy led the NBA in assists per game in three consecutive seasons. His league leading totals were 5.8 assists per game (1949-50), 6.3 apg (1950-51), and 8.2 apg (1951-52).
Points of Interest
- After the 1942-43 season at Illinois, Phillip and the Whiz Kids served in the military in World War II. Andy was a lieutenant in the Marine Corps. After completing his service, he returned to Illinois for the 1946-47 season.
- Andy also starred on the baseball field at Illinois. In 1947, he was named an All-American
- Toward the end of his career, Phillip won his only NBA championship as a member of the Boston Celtics in 1957. By that time he was a role player on a star-studded team that included Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn, Frank Ramsey, and Arnie Risen.
- During his career in the ABA and NBA, Andy placed first or second in the league in total assists six times.
- Phillip finished his professional basketball career with averages of 9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
Statistics
Andy Phillip Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Andy Phillip Cut Signature Card
