Latest news with #LabaronPhilon
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama rises significantly in early 2025-26 rankings post-NBA draft withdrawal deadline
Alabama rises significantly in early 2025-26 rankings post-NBA draft withdrawal deadline It is no secret that the Alabama Crimson Tide were among the biggest winners from the 2025 NBA draft withdrawal deadline. As to why, Alabama - who were already considered among college basketball's best looking ahead to the 2025-26 season - saw a shocking turns of events as guard Labaron Philon announced right before the deadline that he was withdrawing from the NBA draft to return to the Crimson Tide. Weeks prior, Philon had previously announced that he would be remaining in the 2025 NBA draft, and would not return to Alabama. With the return of Philon however, the re-addition of the talented guard is certainly a boost to Alabama's 2025-26 roster outlook, and as a result, the Crimson Tide are now beginning to skyrocket up early Top 25 rankings, the latest of which came via ESPN's Jeff Borzello. In his updated Top 25 post-deadline, Borzello jumped Alabama seven spots up to No. 17, making the Crimson Tide one of the biggest risers behind only Florida. Borzello also said of the Crimson Tide: "Alabama was one of the big winners of the withdrawal deadline, with Labaron Philon making a late decision to remove his name from the draft and return to Tuscaloosa. The talented guard told reporters at the combine that he had closed the door on going back to college. But Nate Oats was on the hunt for a playmaker on the perimeter and now has Philon back in the fold." "Philon is part of a talented perimeter group that includes returnees Aden Holloway and a healthy Latrell Wrightsell Jr., while former five-star recruit Jalil Bethea will look to bounce back after transferring from Miami." "The frontcourt will likely have to rely on portal additions, namely Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson, who was named 2024-25 Patriot League Player of the Year, and Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen, a skilled forward and former highly touted recruit. Aiden Sherrell needs to take a step forward, too." In addition to ESPN, USA TODAY Sports also recently labeled Alabama among the biggest withdrawal deadline winners due to the return of Philon. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
USA TODAY Sports names Alabama basketball one of biggest winners from NBA draft deadline
USA TODAY Sports names Alabama basketball one of biggest winners from NBA draft deadline Alabama basketball received an unexpected boost late Wednesday when guard Labaron Philon announced in a surprise move that he was withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft and returning to Tuscaloosa for his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide and coach Nate Oats. Fittingly, Yea Alabama, the Crimson Tide's NIL entity, made the announcement regarding Philon in a post to social media. NIL is the biggest and most obvious factor for why so many marginal draft picks have delayed the NBA for another year, and 2025 was no exception. An elite 6-foot-4 guard, Philon averaged 10.6 points per game in 24.7 minutes last season. He started 29 of 37 games and had recently been a projected second-round NBA pick. Philon had ruled out a return to Alabama on May 14 but changed course with Wednesday being the deadline for players to withdraw from the draft. Good thing for Alabama, who can certainly use him after losing top scorers Mark Sears (18.6 PPG) and Grant Nelson (11.5), as well as big man Cliff Omoruyi and Chris Youngblood to graduation. On Thursday, veteran USA TODAY Sports columnist Paul Myerberg named the biggest winners and losers from the NBA draft deadline. Not surprisingly, Alabama was included on the list of winners -- along with, well, pretty much the entire SEC. Myerberg said: "The biggest winner of the declaration deadline has to be the SEC. After a record-setting year that established the SEC as the strongest conference in the country, the league could be even better this season with a deep collection of players opting out of the draft." The bad news for Alabama and the rest of the SEC? The defending national champion Florida Gators are bringing back star big man Alex Condon and other NCAA Tournament stars after he also passed on the draft and returned to college. "Condon had an uneven NCAA tournament but came up huge in the championship game against Houston, illustrating his potential along with the need to hone his game before taking the next step into the NBA. Junior center Rueben Chinyelu also backed out of the draft, while forward Thomas Haugh decided not to enter the process and will see an increase in minutes with three key seniors, led by Walter Clayton Jr., gone from last year's team. The Gators also added one of the biggest transfers of the spring in former Arkansas guard Boogie Fland - another player that considered turning pro before staying in school." Alabama and Florida weren't the only SEC teams to benefit from draft withdrawals. Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford announced his decision to return to the Tigers on Wednesday. After getting a record 14 of its 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament this past March, the SEC is going to be another week-to-week gauntlet in 2025-26. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama Crimson Tide news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Labaron Philon withdraws from NBA Draft, will return to Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama basketball will be retaining one its key starters as they look to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament next season. On Wednesday, Labaron Philon announced via Instagram that he would be returning to the Capstone for his sophomore season. Tahaad Pettiford withdrawing from NBA draft, returning to Auburn for sophomore season Philon entered the NBA Draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility, but after getting a feel for his draft stock, ultimately decided to return. His return boosts Alabama's backcourt which will also include Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell, Jahlil Bethea, Houston Mallette and Davion Hannah. He will be the lone returning starter as Mark Sears, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson, and Clifford Omoruyi all ran out of eligibility. The 6'4″ Mobile native averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 assists, and shot 31.5% from the three-point line in his freshman campaign. He started 29 games while averaging just shy of 25 minutes a game. His career high is 21 points, which he did against Kentucky and South Dakota State. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama's Labaron Philon withdraws from NBA draft, announces return for 2025-26 season
Alabama's Labaron Philon withdraws from NBA draft, announces return for 2025-26 season Breaking: Labaron Philon returning to Alabama, withdraws from NBA Draft. — Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) May 29, 2025 After previously announcing earlier this month that he was remaining in the 2025 NBA draft, Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon has reportedly changed his mind, and will instead now return to Tuscaloosa for the 2025-26 season. The news was first reported late Wednesday night on social media by Alabama's official NIL entity, "Yea Alabama." A massive update for Alabama's 2025-26 roster, Philon was one of the Crimson Tide's most impactful players last season, starting 29-of-37 games as a freshman in which he averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Philon also shot a combined 45.2% from the field, as well as 31.5% from three and 76.7% at the free throw line. Prior to announcing his return, Philon was projected as either a late-first or early-second round pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA draft. Philon will now return to Tuscaloosa next season where the guard is likely penciled in as a returning starter entering his sophomore campaign, and will help lead a talented Alabama backcourt alongside the likes of Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., and Jalil Bethea. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Labaron Philon shocked fans by returning to Alabama, withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft
Labaron Philon shocked fans by returning to Alabama, withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft Show Caption Hide Caption 2025 NBA Draft Combine winners: Raynaud, Lendeborg and Byrd These 2025 NBA draft prospects are the biggest winners from the NBA Draft Combine Now that we officially know which players are returning to the NCAA and which are turning pro, we can say that the biggest surprise is Labaron Philon. After a strong campaign at Alabama, the freshman was an early entry candidate for the 2025 NBA Draft. While at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, he told reporters that he was fully committed to turning pro and had no intensions of returning to the NCAA. But prospects had until May 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET to withdraw from the draft and that is exactly what he did. More: 13 players to withdraw from 2025 NBA Draft and return to NCAA, including Labaron Philon Philon did not participate in five-on-five scrimmages at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. He measured 6' 2.75'' barefoot with a 6' 6.25'' wingspan. He ranked No. 29 overall in the most recent consensus projection, via Rookie Scale. More: 7 fascinating players who decided to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft, including Cedric Coward Philon averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game as a freshman. His floater was one of the most efficient and prolific among all collegiate players last season. He was also one of the leaders in 3-pointers assisted among freshmen, per CBB Analytics. This is a huge win for Alabama head coach Nate Oats, who can potentially help Philon improve his draft stock to an even more comfortable position with a breakout sophomore season.
