TUCKER, GA – Shembari Phillips wants you to remember the name. It’s just that simple.

No, the Tucker High senior is not an ego-centric, self-promoting new age high school basketball player looking for attention. He is the complete opposite and just wants his play to be recognized by everyone who sees him play.

“I plan on leaving my mark at Tucker,” Phillips said. “I want to be remembered even if its defensively or assists.”

Right now, Phillips is getting recognition for his ability to do some special things with the basketball. He knows how to get to the basket and score. Phillips sees the floor and is capable of stopping offensive players. Tulane and Mississippi have offered the stellar scorer. However, other schools like South Carolina, Auburn, Middle Tennessee State and Georgia have inquired about Phillips.

The month of July should be another opportunity for colleges to see what this Tucker High product. He will play with the Georgia Tornados during the live period. Phillips is looking to make an impact that will carry over into his senior season with Tucker.

“I am trying to do as much as I can to help my team win,” he said. “I am ready for the challenge.”

The challenge in front of him is to show he is a reliable player on a nightly basis like the previous Tucker players before him – Marshon Brooks, Manny Atkins and Donte Fitzgerald. Each one of them left their mark on the Tigers program.

Phillips knows how proficient Brooks was at scoring. He understands the relentless work ethic Atkins put in to improve his game. Fitzgerald is the best shooter Phillips has seen. All three left an impression on him. He just wants to carry on the legacy.

“The Tucker community is great because everything revolves around sports,” Phillips said. “Basketball is getting on the map. I want them to talk about me like they do Marshon Brooks, Davonte Fitzgerald and Many Atkins. If people say I am a little bit of all three that is OK because people will still remember me.”

Long before his legacy and his impact can be cemented at Tucker, Phillips has to step it up in Tigers coach James Hartry. The veteran coach saw his seniors potential as a freshman.

At first, Phillips struggled through that first season and had some hiccups as a sophomore but got a little comfortable last season. Hartry just wanted to push him out there to see what the youngster could do. Phillips averaged eight points for the Tigers but most of the scoring was left up to Fitzgerald. Now Hartry is looking for Phillips to do something bigger this season.

“My problem with Shembari is that he is a big time player and he needs to understand that big time players come to play every night,” Hartry said. “He needs to understand that the light is going to be him every night. He can’t just show up one night and then not show up the other night.

When he learns to show up every night he will be unstoppable. He has unbelievable skills.”

Hartry says Phillips can play either guard spot. He is athletic with the ability to do so many things. These are skills Phillips wants to leave a legacy on the program in some way.