London, UK, Wednesday 13 May - The London Lions are proud to announce that guard Tarik Phillip has been named the Super League Basketball Molten Defensive Player of the Year for the 2025-26 regular season.
Phillip has been at the heart of one of the league’s top defensive units throughout the campaign, bringing relentless intensity, versatility, leadership, and toughness on a nightly basis. Throughout the SLB Championship regular season, the veteran guard averaged 1.2 steals per game while consistently taking on the toughest perimeter assignments and setting the tone defensively for the Lions.
Coach Tautvydas Sabonis’ side have been by far the sternest defensive outfit in SLB this season, holding teams to just 73.5 points per game on average, almost 10 points less than the next best defensive team, with Phillip proving a key part of that identity.
Beyond the numbers, Phillip’s impact has been felt in every area of the floor. Whether pressuring ball-handlers, disrupting passing lanes, switching across multiple positions, or igniting transition opportunities through defensive stops, his presence has helped establish the Lions as one of the SLB’s most disciplined and aggressive defensive teams.
Phillip’s success in securing this award sees the 32-year-old add to his Molten All-Defensive Team of the Year selection which was confirmed last week, as the 6’3” Lions star was named to that roster alongside fellow London duo Deane Williams and Chaundee Brown Jr.
London Lions Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis praised Phillip’s impact and commitment on the defensive end.
“Very happy Tarik won the Defensive Player of the Year. When he wants to, he’s a psychopath on defence, he can bump, break everything up, he can switch, he fronts, he’s tenacious, got quick hands, he’s aggressive, that dog mentality, he can really disrupt the games and really take players out of their rhythm. That’s a lot of credit to him and his tenacity.
The Lions coach added that Phillip’s impact stood out even amongst a roster filled with elite defenders.
“One of the three, I thought had to win it; him, CB (Chaundee Brown Jr) or Deane Williams, they were all worth it but Tarik took it, because he’s disruptive, he does what we ask, he’s a heck of a player, very important to us and I’m glad he won it.”
Phillip’s defensive mindset and consistency have played a major role in the Lions’ success throughout the season, with his leadership and physicality serving as a cornerstone of the team’s identity on both ends of the floor.
The London Lions congratulate Tarik Phillip on a well-deserved honour and look forward to his continued impact as the team pushes forward to the SLB Playoff Final this Sunday at the O2 Arena.
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