Murray State University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1988
“Sunny” Jim Phillips was one of Murray State’s greatest basketball stars before World War II, helping the Thoroughbreds to their greatest season ever on the hardwood.
Phillips lettered three years at guard for Murray State and Coach Carlisle Cutchin, being named team captain as a junior for the 1934-35 season. Murray went 18-6 that year, as Phillips averaged 7.4 points – not bad considering that the team averaged 38.5 points per game.
Phillips was named All-Kentucky Intercollegiate Conference in 1935, as Murray State made it to the conference championship game, losing a narrow 23-20 decision to Western Kentucky.
The next year was even better for Phillips and the Thoroughbreds, as the team won its 22-2 record into the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship game against old rival Western Kentucky, who accounted for both Thoroughbred losses. But this time Murray met the challenge, winning a 28-26 squeaker, as Phillips tossed in three points for the victors.
That team’s 23-2 record and .920 winning percentage is still unequaled in Murray State basketball history.
For his efforts, Phillips was named All-KIAC and All-AIAA in 1936. He finished his career with a three-year total of 389 points, which then ranked him sixth in all-time Murray State scoring.
In March 1946, a 10-man committee made up of local media and Murray State faculty made Phillips a first-team selection to the school’s All-Time Basketball Team. (The Murray Ledger & Times, September 27, 1988, By Tim Tucker, MSU Sports Information)
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| Class of 1988 Mr. & Mrs. George Greenfield, Steve Barrett, Ernie Vande Zande, & James Phillips |
