Chambana Sun

Illinois men's gymnastics head coach Daniel Ribeiro has announced the addition of graduate transfer Sam Phillips for the 2025 season. The announcement was made on Monday.

"We are extremely excited to add Sam to the Illini family," Ribeiro stated. "Sam is a proven competitor who earned two All-America honors this past year at NCAA Championships. He brings a vibrant, infectious, positive energy that will fit perfectly with our team culture. He is a veteran and a leader and will be instrumental in helping the Illini reach another level of success."

Phillips spent four years at Nebraska, achieving notable scores including a career-high 14.750 on floor and an all-around score of 82.350. In his freshman year in 2021, Phillips won a bronze medal on high bar at Big Tens and was named Second Team All-Big Ten while contributing to Nebraska's fourth-place finish in the NCAA Team finals.

In subsequent years, he achieved CGA Regular Season All-American status in floor and high bar and was nominated for several awards including the College Gymnastics Association (CGA) MVP award. After redshirting in 2023, Phillips' performance peaked in 2024 as he became an NCAA High Bar All-American and an NCAA All-Around All-American.

Phillips was also recognized as a CGA regular-season All-American on floor and all-around, was a finalist for the Nissen Emery Award, and helped Nebraska secure a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.