From Frankston to the SCSU Huskies, Kynan Philippe’s basketball journey is one of dedication, growth, and ambition. A proud Frankston Blues junior and NBL1 player, Philippe has risen through the ranks to establish himself at St. Cloud State University (SCSU), where he is making his mark in NCAA Division II basketball. Now averaging 25 minutes, 8.6 points, and 3.2 rebounds per game, he continues to embrace the challenges of the college game while staying true to his roots.
After a strong 2024 season in NBL1 South, where he started in both finals games for the Blues, Philippe has carried that experience into his college career. Reflecting on the transition, he highlighted the biggest difference: the daily intensity of training and competition.
“It’s been really exciting. The biggest thing I miss from NBL1 is having our veterans over my shoulder at every turn. The core group Harms and Jackon (Andrew Harms and Adam Jackson) put together went out of their way constantly to help. For college basketball, being a part of a group that trains together multiple times a day, every day, is something I had to adjust to. You’re placed in a situation where guys will fight relentlessly for each other’s spots then go live together like it’s nothing.”
With a solid role in the SCSU rotation, Philippe continues to refine his skill set.
“I was lucky coming into a position where I was able to earn minutes at an early stage and develop on court in real time. The coaching staff at SCSU have allowed me to develop aspects of my game while continuing to utilise my strengths. I made an impact through my shooting and ability to stretch the defence. Now that teams have adjusted, it’s been a learning curve of adapting multiple ways to act as a scoring threat. Coach Henderson’s program is No. 1 in free throws attempted this season, so learning from him how to draw and play through contact has been pivotal.”
Philippe’s experience starting in the NBL1 South finals for the Blues provided valuable insights into playing at a high level under pressure.
“The biggest insight from starting in our finals run was feeling like the coaches and players had my back. Knowing that I was able to make mistakes and learn from them made it an easy situation to work into. You always learn about yourself as a person when the pressure is higher, and I was able to learn about what level of energy and focus best worked with who I am as a player and a person. I’ve always been pretty lighthearted, and learning how to apply that in-game was a great experience.”
Despite standout performances, Philippe remains focused on continuous growth.
“It’s hard to say—I’ve always kind of just accepted when I reached a goal and gone straight to the next. I think stepping up into the starting role last season for our NBL1 side when we had injuries was big. I just happened to be able to contribute to an area we were momentarily light for rotations, and any chance you get to put a jersey on next to the guys on our men’s side is a special moment.”
With plenty of basketball ahead, Philippe has clear short-term and long-term goals.
“In the short term, my goal is to bring St. Cloud back to the powerhouse it once was. Beyond college, I want to return to Frankston and represent the club at the NBL1 level in front of the families I’ve grown up alongside and hopefully earn an opportunity at the professional level.”
As someone who has successfully made the leap from junior basketball in Frankston to the US college system, Philippe has valuable advice for younger players.
“My biggest advice is you can learn something from everyone. It doesn’t matter at what level or experience someone is, they can always teach you something. Never look at someone as not experienced enough to benefit yourself and your own knowledge both on and off the court.”
Philippe’s journey is a testament to the strength of the Frankston Blues program and the pathways it provides for young athletes. His dedication and drive continue to inspire the next generation of Blues players, as he pushes forward toward his next challenge.
St Cloud State College Men’s basketball season ended this week going down 72-78 to Minnesota State. The Huskies made the conference tournament after coming in at 10th in the NCAA II Central Region Rankings.