Phil Pressey, the former point guard standout from the Episcopal School of Dallas’ Class of 2010, was selected as a free agent by the Boston Celtics following the 2013 NBA draft on Thursday, June 27, according to reports from Yahoo! Sports.
“It still hasn’t hit me yet,” Pressey said during a visit to ESD on Friday. “I think it’s going to hit me when I actually start playing.”
During his three years at the University of Missouri, Pressey led the Big 12 Conference in assists and steals per game, shattering the school’s single-season assist record with 223 dimes in 35 games. He also earned All-Big 12 First, Second, and Third Team honors, as well as being named a finalist of the Bob Cousy Award (given to the best point guard in the nation). Heading into the 2012-13 season, Pressey was also named “Preseason Player of the Year” by the SEC voting board.
While still with the Eagles, Pressey is most well-known for hitting the game-winning three-pointer ESD needed to upset St. Mark’s in 2010. During his two years at ESD, Pressey was also named the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ “Player of the Year” in the large private school category. He was also on The Dallas Morning News’ All-American Basketball First Team after helping lead the Eagles to back-to-back SPC Championship titles.
“He had the ‘it’ factor. When I needed somebody to make a big shot or give some words of encouragement, he was it,” ESD’s varsity basketball coach, Corey Henderson said. “I felt confident going into every game that we were going to win because of him.”
In 2009, Pressey was named First-Team All-Area, All South Zone, All SPC, and the team’s MVP. That same year, he started the season ranked third in the state and 31st in the nation among potential NCAA recruits. Though heavily recruited by Baylor, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, and Texas A&M, and Texas, Pressey settled on Mizzou for two very important reasons.
In January, Pressey told USA Today he committed to Mizzou to join his older brother, Matt, on the court, and because Corey Henderson, ESD’s current varsity head coach, knew Mizzou coaching staff would let Pressey play the style of ball he wanted.
Knowing he was ready to enter the draft after three seasons with the Tigers, Pressey declared his intentions in the spring, making him ineligible to return to Mizzou’s roster.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA. Once the opportunity came along, I had to go seize it,” Pressey said. “I’m expecting it to be tougher, but I’ve been working towards playing at this level my entire life and I’m going to continue to work because I expect great things.”