PORTLAND, Ore. – University of Portland men's basketball has signed big man Josh Phillips (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison HS) to a National Letter of Intent on the first day of the early signing period, head coach Terry Porter announced on Wednesday. Phillips (6-8, 190) will join the Pilots as a freshman in the fall of 2018.

Porter and the Portland coaching staff, coming off of recruiting a highly decorated 2017 class, targeted a 2018 post this summer and Phillips caught the staff's attention immediately.

"Josh impressed us with his ability to make multiple effort plays consistently as we evaluated him in the recruiting process," Porter said. "He has good size, length and athleticism, a great motor, and the tremendous desire to defend and rebound. His shot blocking ability will translate right away and he is always doing the little things that helps winning programs. He will bring a unique skillset to our frontline next year."

Phillips averaged six points, eight rebounds and five blocked shots per game as a junior at Edison High School last season. He earned All-Sunset League First Team honors and helped Edison post a 23-5 overall record and 9-1 mark in the Sunset League. The team advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section 2017 Boys Basketball Division I-AA Championships.

"Josh has been well-coached throughout his career," Porter added. "Rich Boyce at Edison High School has done a nice job with the program and preparing Josh for this next opportunity. Josh has also been with a very good AAU program in Belmont Shore, playing with and against some of the top talent in the nation."

"I'm very excited for Josh," Boyce said. "Terry and his staff were wonderful throughout the recruiting process. They listened, addressed any and all concerns, and were fantastic. University of Portland is a perfect fit for Josh. I think UP got a steal."

Porter and the Pilots will tip-off the 2017-18 regular season this Saturday at the Chiles Center against Portland State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets are still available by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets or calling the Pilot Box Office at (503) 943-GOUP. Season tickets start at $126.