Mr. Basketball candidate Will Philpot decided to further his academic and basketball at Alice Lloyd College as he signed with them on Monday.

The senior power forward first earned his playing time as a freshman when he admitted he was the ninth man off the bench.

He worked his way into the starting line up as a sophomore and said even then his playing time got more sparse as the season went on.

Philpot said he decided to work hard to keep his starting spot set in stone the rest of his high school career.

“I have always been self motivated,” Philpot said. “I started grinding and working hard the summer after my freshman year. Sophomore year I actually started for a few games then went back to warming the bench. We got Josh Cook in as the head coach my junior year and I gained my confidence back. I had the mentality that nobody could stop me my senior year and coach Cook pushed and helped me through a lot. I would have never thought I’d be in this position that I’m now when I was a freshman.”

Head coach Josh Cook had the opportunity to coach Philpot for two years and said that he was one of the hardest workers that has seen.

“He’s a blue collar,” Cook said. “Truthfully in my 14 years of coaching, he is one of the hardest working kids that I know. He’s spent a lot of time and effort to improve and get better and he has worked for everything he has.”

Cook said that it’ll be a big adjustment losing a player like Philpot.

“It’s tough to replace a Will Philpot,” he said. “He’s done a great job of leading guys into helping our team be successful. He has a unique style of play. A lot of guys returning next year had the chance to play and learn from his worth ethic. They learned what kind of player he is and he is still coming to offseason work outs. I wish him the best of luck and look forward to following his successful college career.”

Cook said that Alice Lloyd is getting the type of player in Philpot that is hard to find.

“They are getting a heck of a basketball player and a heck of a young man,” he said. “I know they are excited to get him and he’s going to fit right into their level of play to have a good career. He will work hard on and off the court.”

Philpot had offers from other schools, but said he liked what Alice Lloyd brought to the table.

“I chose Alice Lloyd because they offered me a full ride,” he said. “I didn’t think any of the other schools fit me. My main focus was to help my mom out financially.”

Philpot said he has high standards when he gets there.

“I want to win championships and I know Alice Lloyd hasn’t seen that in a while,” he said. “Obviously I want to work for playing time and eventually earn my degree. I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and being in a new atmosphere. I hope to be a big part of the team and make my name known.”

Philpot said that playing basketball has always given him the spark in his life that he has always needed.

“I’ve always loved everything about basketball,” he said. “I don’t watch it on TV that much, but I get a rush playing it and there is so many turn outs that can happen. Anything can happen in a game and that’s what is so great about it.”

Playing high school basketball has given Philpot “life-long” memories and he said there are many aspects that he is going to miss.

“I’m going to miss my teammates and my coach,” he said. “Coach Cook has always been there for me and asks me to eat dinner with him sometimes. He also still lets me work out with the upcoming team for next year. I’m going to miss my friends of course and all the great times. I’m ready to see what the next chapter is going to be like.”