Phil Pressey's previous career taught him how to rise through the ranks in his new profession. Standing below six feet, to achieve his dream of playing in the NBA, winning with intelligence and preparation was non-negotiable.
That combination allowed the former Missouri Tigers star to excel as an extension of his head coach. It also made it easy to recognize that the former floor general would one day go into coaching.
"I've thought Phil was ready for this from the first time I coached him when he was 21 years old and a rookie point guard for the Boston Celtics," Brad Stevens told Hardwood Houdini over the summer.