FORMER GRIZZLY BASKETBALL standouts Allen Phillips, left, and Eric Judd were inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame today, Sept. 25, with members of the 1998-99 then-Southwest Missouri State University “Sweet 16” Men’s Basketball Team during a special basketball tipoff luncheon at the University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield. Phillips and Judd, who helped guide the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzlies to their first ever NJCAA Region 16 Championship in March 1998, completed their collegiate careers with the Bears and played key roles on the Steve Alford-coached team that made the impressive NCAA national tournament run in 1998-99. The Bears lost to perennial national power Duke University in the round of 16, but not before Phillips turned in an impressive performance scoring 16 points and grabbing four rebounds against a team that featured six future NBA draft choices. Phillips earned Chevrolet Player of the Game honors for the Bears in that contest. Judd, a West Plains native who helped guide the Zizzers to a second place finish in the 1996 Class 4A State Basketball Championships, returned to West Plains following graduation and is employed at West Plains Bank and Trust Company. Phillips lives in his hometown, Little Rock, Arkansas, and works as a realtor. This photo was provided by Missouri State University Sports Information Director Rick Kindheart.
Former Grizzlies inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame