Auburn commit Labaron Philon is Gatorade Player of the Year for Alabama
Another day, another award for Labaron Philon, the touted Auburn basketball commit.
Earlier this week, MaxPreps named the Mobile (Ala.) Baker 4-star point guard as its Player of the Year for the state of Alabama.
Now, Gatorade has honored him, too.
As with MaxPreps, Philon is Gatorade’s state Player of the Year. He’s only a junior.
Philon, 6-foot-4 recruit in the 2024 class, led the team to a 25-7 record. The squad reached the Class 7A state quarterfinals thanks to his efforts.
Philon had a season to remember.
Per MaxPreps, he averaged 35 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals a game and made 52 percent of his attempts from the field, 34 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the foul line. Philon had a career-high 51 points in a game last season.
Additionally, MaxPreps noted, “after scoring 1,051 points, Philon is up to 2,310 career points and on pace to become a top-10 scorer in state history.”
Philon is the No. 6 point guard and No. 38 overall recruit nationally according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Philon gave his verbal to Bruce Pearl’s program last month
He committed to Auburn on Feb. 3.
“Auburn just feels like another home to me,” Philon told Auburn Live. “They took me in when I got on campus and made me feel at home. They recruited me hard,” he said. “Coach Bruce Pearl and Coach (Wes) Flanigan did a great job of recruiting me.”
Per Auburn Live’s Jeffrey Lee, although Philon is ranked as a point guard, he likely will be a combo guard at Auburn. The Tigers also hold a commitment from Tahaad Pettiford, the No. 4 point guard in the class.
“Tahaad is 6-1 or 6-2 and I’m 6-4 or 6-5, so I’ll probably be playing the 2 as a combo guard with him,” Philon said. “He’s a great ball handler and a great shooter and a great on-the-ball player. I thrive more off the ball. It will be good.”
Philon is one of three commitments in Auburn’s 2024 class, joining Pettiford and four-star center Peyton Marshall. The class ranks No. 3 nationally.
