University of Georgia Athletics
Know Your Lady Bulldogs: Porsha Phillips
February 23, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2011
Know Your Lady Bulldogs
By Aimee Russo, UGA Sports Communications
Regarded as one of the most athletic power players ever to compete for Georgia, Porsha Phillips has undoubtedly left her mark on the Lady Bulldog Basketball program.
After almost missing her calling to be a Lady Bulldog, Phillips transferred to Georgia from LSU after her freshman year when she helped the Tigers to the 2007 NCAA Final Four. Phillips, the third member of her family to be recruited by Georgia Athletics, was finally a part of the Bulldog Nation.
"I came back to UGA to be close to my family and my brothers," Phillips said. "They are very supportive and encouraging, and I missed that. Coming home to be a Lady Bulldog was the best decision of my life."
Phillips was recognized for her athletic abilities long before she made her decision to become a Lady Bulldog. At only 17, Phillips was asked to be a USA Basketball participant at the 2005 Youth Development Festival. She was also named DeKalb County Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior in high school. As a senior, she was named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's five-player All-Class All-State team and selected as both a McDonald's and WBCA All-American.
Now the senior forward from Stone Mountain has not only been a valuable member of the Lady Bulldogs, she has also made her mark on UGA history. Phillips has joined the high ranks of the Lady Bulldogs' top-10 career leaders for blocked shots where she places eighth with 133. She enters Thursday's game with Auburn 75 points shy of reaching 1,000 career points as a Lady Bulldog. Phillips would become the 32nd UGA player to attain this achievement.
She already reached the millennium mark for her collegiate career, including 143 points scored as a freshman at LSU, at the Jan. 27 game against South Carolina.
In addition to having the opportunity to reach 1,000 points as a Lady Bulldog, Phillips has been averaging a double-double throughout her senior campaign. Her highest overall rebounding tally is 19, which came at Southern Cal on Nov. 23. That also was the most by a Lady Bulldog since December 1986 and the ninth-best single-game effort in UGA history. On the same West Coast road trip, she was named MVP of the Courtyard Marriott Westside L.A. Thanksgiving Classic after averaging a double-double in victories over Denver and Loyola Marymount. Phillips grabbed 18 rebounds against Arkansas on Feb. 3, which represented the second-most ever by a Lady Bulldog against SEC competition and the most since February 1981.
Phillips says she is sure not to get caught up with statistics.
"It's an honor, but it's more than just scoring and it's more than stats; I play to win," said Phillips.
Spoken like a true player of the game, Phillips says she is always trying to get better and improve her game.
"I would describe myself as a very determined player. You've got to work hard and practice hard everyday. It helps you become a better person and a better player," she said.
That determination will take her well throughout her career. After her time at Georgia, Phillips hopes to play professional basketball. She says she also wants to own her own business one day.
"My parents have a recreational day care center for children, so maybe something like that," Phillips said.
She also hopes to travel, something she may have a chance to do if she follows her former Lady Bulldog teammates, Angel Robinson, who plays basketball in Portugal, and Ashley Houts, who plays in Israel.
However, she will not soon forget her time as a Lady Bulldog.
"It is an honor for me to be a Lady Bulldog and play for Coach Landers," Phillips said. "He is such a lovable father figure and coach."
The determination she has will drive her to accomplish the goals she has set to achieve before she leaves UGA.
"Before I leave, I want to get an SEC title and make it past the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament," Phillips said.
Regardless of how the season ends, Phillips will surely be remembered not only for her athletic accomplishments, but for her determination that has helped inspire her on and off the court.
