Alabama guard Labaron Philon drives to the basket against Oklahoma in January. The Mobile native announced on Monday he is declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft. (UA Athletics)
Alabama guard Labaron Philon signs an autograph for a delighted fan after a win over Oklahoma last season. (Jimmy Wigfield/Call News)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
Alabama star guard Labaron Philon declared for the NBA Draft on Monday, ending his Crimson Tide career after one season.
The former Baker High School star made the announcement on his Facebook page.
“Ever since I was little in Mobile, my dream has always been to play in the NBA and I am excited to pursue that goal by officially declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft,” Philon wrote. “I cannot wait to start the next chapter of my life! Roll Tide!”
The 6-foot-4 freshman, who was ranked as the No. 5 point guard in the 2024 class by On3, was one of the nation’s leading scorers in his junior season at Baker, averaging 35 points per game. He was named the state’s Mr. Basketball before transferring to Link Academy in Missouri for his senior season.
Philon originally committed to Auburn, then switched to Kansas and finally to Alabama, where he averaged 10.6 points and 3.8 assists this season.
“Go be great,” the UA basketball program posted on X after Philon’s announcement.
Philon’s loss further exacerbates the rebuilding job Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats faces. Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Clifford Omoruyi and Chris Youngblood are outgoing seniors and Mouhamed Dioubate, Jarin Stevenson, Naas Cunninham and Derrion Reid have announced they are entering the transfer portal. Dioubate has already committed to Kentucky.
“I would like to thank God and give all the glory to Him,” Philon wrote. “Returning home to Alabama and wearing the Script A this year has been one of the greatest honors of my life. This school and fan base welcomed me home with open arms and I will forever be thankful for the love and support I have been shown this year. Thank you to my coaches and teammates for motivating me, pushing me and helping me develop into the player I am today. We will be brothers for life.
“To my family, thank you for the unconditional love and support I have received throughout my life and the sacrifices they have made for me to pursue my dreams.”
Philon is regarded as a late first-round or early second-round draft pick but NBA scouts have said he must improve his jumper, especially from 3-point range.
“Philon is a shifty point guard with a buttery floater, advanced pick-and-roll playmaking and a deceptive handle that lets him control the tempo,” according to a Yahoo Sports scouting report. “His feathery touch teases untapped shooting potential but he’s got to prove it to become an offensive maestro.”
Philon “lacks the strength to be a high-level finisher at the rim,” according to Yahoo’s NBA prospectus, “but his ambidextrous touch bodes well for his long-term ability. Philon is a high-level passer who played a composed style for a freshman. He plays with pace, makes proper reads and delivers passes with precision whether it’s lobs, interior dishes or cross-court kickouts to shooters.”
As for his jump shot, Philon made only 31.5% of his threes at Alabama but “seems like a fair bet to at least become a quality shooter due to some factors: His feathery soft touch on floaters and layups, his previous midrange pull-up success in high school and his consistently high-70% numbers from the line since high school,” Yahoo concluded. “Despite reasons for optimism for his jumper, he still needs to prove it and his mechanics certainly are a bit rigid.”
