Labaron Philon talks return to Alabama, areas of improvement from last season

Alabama sophomore point guard Labaron Philon surprised the college basketball world whenever he withdrew his name from the NBA Draft pool late in May, doing so just hours before the deadline. He’d previously declared for the draft and stated his intention to remain there during the draft process, but his decision to rejoin the Crimson Tide for the 2025-26 season has majorly increased buzz around this roster.

Joining the Sleepers Media YouTube channel on Tuesday, Philon discussed some of the process behind his return to Tuscaloosa.

“I think all along, you know, it was going to come down to me making a decision. I think my parents and everybody on the staff was behind me, so I really didn’t rush through it,” Philon said. “I said what was on my mind in the moment, I probably said some things that was taken a little too far, but it came all together for me. I was happy to see that I had that plan and be able to do both, go through the process and come back and play for Alabama.

“Alabama basketball really means a lot to me, so going through that process I stayed connected with all the coaches. I never gave them a tip on what I was gonna do, so they were really surprised when I announced I was coming back. All the guys were really happy.”

Philon was one of the biggest surprises of Alabama’s 2024-25 season, coming into the year as the third-highest-ranked freshman on the roster but becoming a major contributor en route to an Elite Eight appearance.

He averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists on the season while starting in 29 of 37 games, and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team at season’s end.

Philon explained some areas of his game that he’s been working on this summer to become an even more effective player, and began with his 3-point shooting, where he only shot 31.5 percent last season.

“Really just shooting. Really being able to be a high-level 3-point shooter,” Philon said. “I think a lot of things I missed out on last season are gonna come into play this season. Everything’s been filled out and a lot more of being able to space the floor with all the guys around me that can shoot the ball really well, it’s gonna allow me to create for open looks for them and get downhill while I can. Really doing the same thing I did last year but also being more of a leader and being vocal more, really.”

Philon has the potential to be one of the best guards in the SEC this coming year, and could find himself right back in NBA Draft discussions and be projected even higher than he was this past summer if he does improve his outside shot.

He’s one of just five returners from last year’s team, two of which redshirted during the 2024-25 season, so his leadership will be needed as Alabama enters the year with an exciting roster.

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