Mike Phillips (basketball, born 2002)

Mike Phillips
Kyoto Hannaryz
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueB.League
Personal information
Born (2002-07-05) July 5, 2002
United States
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Career information
High schoolCreekside (St. Johns County, Florida)
CollegeDe La Salle (2022–2025)
Playing career2026–present
Career history
2026San Juan Knights
2026–presentKyoto Hannaryz
Career highlights
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Philippines
SEA Games
Gold medal – first place2023 CambodiaTeam

Michael Phillips (born July 5, 2002) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the Kyoto Hannaryz of the Japan B.League. He played his entire college career with the De La Salle Green Archers, where he won two UAAP men's basketball championships. From his college career, Mike was given the moniker "Motor Mike".

Early life and education

Mike Phillips was born in 2002, and grew up in Florida in the United States.[1][2] He attended Creekside High School.[3] He moved to the Philippines in 2019 to attend the De La Salle University pursuing a degree in marketing management.[2][3][4]

High school and college career

Phillips played 19 games for the Creekside Knights, averaging 12.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks.[5]

Phillips played for the De La Salle Green Archers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and was known by the moniker "Motor Mike". He debuted in Season 84 in 2022.[6][7] He was named to the UAAP Mythical Team for that season.[8] He later helped his school win two UAAP men's basketball championships in Season 86 (2023) and Seasons 88 (2025). He was also named Finals MVP in Season 88.[9][10]

He also led La Salle in the 2025 World University Basketball Series in Japan.[11]

Professional career

San Juan Knights (2026)

On April 1, 2026, Phillips signed with the San Juan Knights of the regional Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.[12]

On July 11, older brother Ben disclosed that Mike has stepped down from San Juan to focus on recovery following his call-up in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asia qualifiers. He also stated that Mike received multiple opportunities from other professional teams.[13] His departure was confirmed the following day. Phillips activated an opt-opt clause to terminate his contract. San Juan team manager Jun Usman says his departure came out as a surprise learning the move from Mike's brother and did not give the San Juan Knights management a chance to convince Mike to stay.[14]

Kyoto Hannaryz (2026–present)

On July 21, 2026, Phillips signed with Kyoto Hannaryz of the Japanese B.League for the 2026–27 season.[15]

National team career

Phillips has publicly expressed his availability to play for the Philippine national team as early as 2022.[16] However he reportedly was unable to obtain a Philippine passport by age 16 rendering him a restricted or "naturalized" player under FIBA eligibility rules.[17] He played for the Philippine national team which won the gold medal at the men's basketball tournament of the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.[18][19] In February 2026, FIBA has reclassified Phillips as a local or unrestricted player.[3] On June 18, 2026, Phillips got his first call-up to the national team for the third window of Asia qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[20]

Personal life

Phillips traces his Filipino heritage from his grandmother Carmelita Colina who hails from Cebu City.[4] He is also vocal about his Christian faith which guides his basketball career.[21][22] Despite being born abroad, he is noted for his fluency in speaking the Filipino language.[2][10] His older brothers Benjamin and Isaiah are also basketball players and have also suited up for the Green Archers.[23]

References

  1. ↑ Tolosa, James (July 6, 2025). "Mike Phillips celebrates 23rd birthday with Green Archers teammates in Greenhills". Fastbreak. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Riego, Normie (August 8, 2022). "Trash-talking as an icebreaker: How Mike Phillips is making friends while having an impact for La Salle Green Archers". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Dongiapon, Rob Andrew (February 21, 2026). "Born ready: Mike Phillips gets FIBA nod to play as local for Gilas". Rappler. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Henson, Joaquin (December 27, 2025). "What's next for Mike?". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (July 7, 2020). "Teen 6-8 Fil-Am brods are latest pieces in La Salle rebuild under Pumaren". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Follow captain Phillips and everything will be alright, La Salle". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. October 15, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ Ballecer, R. J. (December 18, 2025). "Mike Phillips Leaves DLSU as a Champion With Purpose". The Game. One Mega Group. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Tamayo, Phillips make Mythical Team as UAAP says all-league team is positionless". Tiebreaker Times. May 10, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  9. ↑ del Carmen, Lorenzo (December 10, 2023). "'Motor Mike' grateful to Topex for turning Phillips bros' dreams into reality". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Isaga, JR (December 31, 2025). "God and guts: How Mike Phillips became the ideal UAAP icon". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 31, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  11. ↑ Ambat, Pao (August 9, 2025). "Mike Phillips block helps DLSU survive late Chinese Taipei stand in WUBS 2025 opener". One Sports. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  12. ↑ Li, Matthew (April 1, 2026). "Mike Phillips reinforces Maroon 4 in San Juan". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  13. ↑ Ganglani, Naveen (July 11, 2026). "Phillips Draws Overseas Interest, Steps Away from San Juan". All-Star Magazine. Retrieved July 11, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Mike Phillips letter confirms termination of San Juan contract". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. July 12, 2026. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  15. ↑ Li, Matthew (July 21, 2026). "Mike Phillips takes next career step, lands B.League deal with Kyoto". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  16. ↑ Leongson, Randolph (August 26, 2022). "Fil-Am banger Michael Phillips makes himself available for Gilas callup". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  17. ↑ Li, Matthew (September 19, 2022). "Mike Phillips classified as 'naturalized' by FIBA". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  18. ↑ Riego, Normie (May 24, 2023). "La Salle's Mike Phillips turns his attention to another 'Redeem Team'". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  19. ↑ Ventura, Sid (May 7, 2023). "As Gilas Pilipinas confirm 'Redeem Team' roster, what sort of threat will their main Southeast Asian Games rivals pose?". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  20. ↑ Villanueva, Ralph Edwin (June 18, 2026). "Baltazar, Mike Phillips make Gilas roster for FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
  21. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (December 18, 2025). "Captain Phillips leads La Salle in faith, service, communion". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  22. ↑ Velasco, Jamie (October 4, 2025). "La Salle's Mike Phillips finds strength through unwavering faith". One Sports. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  23. ↑ Garcia, John Mark (October 10, 2023). "Why Topex held back on playing Phillips trio together in 20-point rout of UST". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
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