Cade Phillips Joins Texas A&M

Building Momentum Under Bucky McMillan

Bucky McMillan entered his second season at Texas A&M with a clear mission: turn the Aggies into a national contender. After a surprising NCAA Tournament run in his debut, he rebuilt the roster almost entirely through the transfer portal. The results speak for themselves, as the Aggies are now recognized as one of the nation’s most upward‑moving programs.

McMillan’s aggressive recruiting strategy focused on filling gaps and adding versatile talent. By leveraging the portal, he secured players who could immediately contribute to a fast‑paced, physical style of basketball. This approach has sparked a culture of development and accountability that resonates throughout the program.

First‑Year Success and Tournament Run

The 2024‑25 season featured a veteran core led by senior forward Rashaun Agee, who anchored the Aggies through a roller‑coaster regular season. Texas A&M finished SEC play with an impressive 11 wins, earning a No. 7 seed in the conference tournament. The Aggies followed that with a dominant victory over Saint Mary’s before falling to Houston in the Round of 32.

Agee’s presence provided stability and experience, helping the team navigate injuries and tight competition. The tournament run highlighted the progress the staff made in just one year, setting a high bar for the upcoming season.

Phillips’ Defensive Edge and Fit

Former Tennessee forward Cade Phillips arrived in College Station as part of a seven‑player overhaul that addressed depth in the front court. He quickly earned praise as one of the SEC’s top defenders, despite posting modest averages of 3.8 points and four rebounds per game. His ability to enforce a physical presence on both ends makes him a key piece in McMillan’s fast‑tempo system.

Phillips, a Birmingham native, was drawn to the program by McMillan’s vision and the momentum building in College Station. As he explained, “Being from the Birmingham area instantly drew me here at the beginning of this process because of Bucky. Getting to see the culture he’s starting here and the momentum this program is gaining, it was hard to say no.”

New Mindset for the 2026‑27 Season

With roughly half of the previous roster departing, the Aggies entered the offseason determined to stay resilient. The coaching staff added seven newcomers, Phillips among them, to reinforce the team’s defensive identity and depth. The prevailing philosophy, as articulated by Phillips, is to “win the next basketball game” and keep focus squarely on each contest.

SEC competition is notoriously tough once conference play begins, so the Aggies are emphasizing a game‑by‑game approach to avoid burnout. This mindset, combined with the new talent influx, positions Texas A&M to chase another deep tournament run next spring.