After three seasons at SMU, senior guard Zhuric Phelps shifted to Texas A&M to continue his college career. For the Midland, Texas native, this decision stands out as one of the wisest he has made throughout his playing journey.
Amid Texas A&M’s 12-2 start to the 2024-2025 season, Phelp’s impact was significant outside of missing the season-opening loss to UCF, as the senior is second on the team with 13.3 PPG, only trailing star guard Wade Taylor IV (15.7).
After leading the Aggies with 18 points in Saturday’s win over the Texas Longhorns, Phelp’s role became even more critical this week before facing No. 17 Oklahoma on the road. Wade Taylor would miss his second game of the year, putting a hole in the Aggie offense.
Knowing that Taylor’s three-point shooting and clutch production would be sorely missed, Texas A&M’s offense was stagnant and disjointed. At the same time, Oklahoma’s senior guard, Brycen Goodine, displayed his best Steph Curry impression, shredding the Aggies from deep and finishing 9-11 from beyond the arc for a career-high 34 points.
After trailing by double digits, including an 18-point deficit in the second half, Phelps transformed into a powerhouse. Despite scoring only six points and shooting 2-11 in the first half, he erupted in the second, scoring 28 points and hitting 6-11 from three-point range, ultimately tying with Goodine for a career-high 34 points.
However, nothing matched the excitement of Phelps’ game-sealing three-pointer, looking like a young James Hardin, tripping up Sooners forward Glenn Taylor Jr. and sending a message to the rest of the SEC: The Aggies are one of the hottest teams in the country, with, and without Wade Taylor IV.
ZHURIC PHELPS. ONIONS. pic.twitter.com/Yv0x6SlwP6
— Barstool SEC (@SECBarstool) January 9, 2025
After defeating Oklahoma 80-78, No. 10 Texas A&M will host No. 5 Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 11. The game will air on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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