Ridgeland's Phil Nelson signs with MC

Ridgeland basketball star Phil Nelson announced his signing with Mississippi College on Tuesday afternoon.

Nelson was previously committed to Itawamba CC, but decided to sign with Mississippi College and new coach Josh Brooks, who was recently hired from Belhaven and was previously the head coach at Jackson Academy before that. 

“I really built a good relationship with Coach Brooks and he has a history of winning, that played a big part in my decision.” Nelson said. “He told me how I would fit into his program and I thought it was the best fit.”

Nelson leaves Ridgeland as the most decorated player in the history of their boys basketball program, having led Ridgeland to a state title and state runner-up finishing, along with being named Mr. Basketball for Class 6A in 2025. The state title and the Mr. Basketball award were both firsts for the Ridgeland boys basketball program. 

“My time at Ridgeland has meant a lot, we progressed each year farther and farther and accomplished our goal of winning a state championship this year,” Nelson said. “The coaching staff pushed us every year to get better, to believe in ourselves, and taught us life lessons that I plan to carry on to the next level.”

The impact that Nelson had on Ridgeland as a school and on the basketball program cannot be overstated, bringing them to new heights and laying the foundation for the program to have success in the years to come.

“He’s meant a lot for our program, he’s led us to new heights,” Ridgeland Head Coach Terron McIntyre said. “He led our team by example, he never really had to say a lot, he just showed our team the love he has for basketball and the work it takes to get to the next level. 

Even as a freshman, Nelson will bring championship experience and leadership to the Mississippi College program. He will be one of the foundation pieces for a program that will be revamped under a new head coach.

“He’s going to be a point guard that is leading a team in college,” McIntyre said. “He can score and distribute at a very high level, he’s a great facilitator that’s going to do whatever the team needs from him.” 

Nelson will look to continue his success at the next level and will begin his freshman season in Clinton in November.