After the freshman season, few people are expected to announce Labaron Philon's draft, but Philon has starred in Tide this season. He proved himself a major rotational piece for one of the best teams in the United States, which fits the Nate Oats system. How will Philon turn his college success into NBA level?
- Team: Alabama
- Height: 6'4
- Weight: 177
- Wingspan: N/A.
- Age: 19.6 (November 24, 2005)
Labaron Philon – Alabama State Guard (19.6)
NBA comparison: Mike Conley, Lonzo Ball
At his peak, Philon can be an elite complementary defender like Mike Conley. Mike Conley's jitters, stop-off athleticism, the feel of playing and defense have enhanced the already great team. If Philon can't improve his 3-pointer, he can find rotational homes like the shorter Lonzo Ball, adding value as a passer and defender while struggling to score.
Advantages
- Excellent bursts and transfers with rare speed movement ability changes to win and constantly touch paint
- Manipulative players fool defenders of body and eye movement
- Combining athletic skills and excellent handles to create advantages and engrave defenses and ball screens
- His float and short jumpers have a great touch and may predict a three-point hit rate increase
- Shorter area agility allows him to overwrite the driver in isolation and react to make mistakes
- Excellent court guard with great awareness, sports and reaction time help
weakness
- The slight frame limits his screen navigation with a stronger big man and traffic ends, having to add a lot of functional strength
- Lack of core strength and vertical explosions limit his completion and foul
- Still a developed three-point shooter with a relatively slow mechanism
- It is necessary to prove that he can effectively score on high volumes as the main creator
Offensive role: Connector/secondary creator
Defensive roles: Off-ball subversive/offensive point chaser
2025 NBA Draft Projection: First Round, Choose 7-14
Philon already has a solid base for complementing the defender at the NBA level and has a predictable advantage as versatile defender, Slasher and Connetive Glaymaker. He has to continue to improve his body and shoot, but Philon's strengths create and play provide potential for low-end star potential on the ceiling.
