Three members from Alabama basketball‘s most recent Elite Eight team have received invites to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
The NBA shared to social media on Friday that 75 players were invited to the combine, which will take place from May 11-18 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, and among the pool from the Crimson Tide were Mark Sears, Grant Nelson and Labaron Philon.
Guard Chris Youngblood and center Clifford Omoruyi were also eligible for the NBA Draft after the 2025 season, but were not listed in the announcement from the NBA.
It’ll be Sears’ second year in a row attending the combine, returning after exhausting his collegiate eligibility. The guard from Muscle Shoals, Ala. declared for the NBA Draft after the conclusion of Alabama‘s historic Final Four run last season, but ultimately withdrew in hopes of bringing a national championship to the university.
Three Alabama basketball players invited to 2025 NBA Draft Combine: Labaron Philon discusses ‘real change’ in his preparation
For Nelson, who graduated from UA on Friday, and the freshman stud Philon, the NBA Draft will be a first.
In an interview with Zach Schumaker earlier in the week, Philon didn’t completely rule out the possibility of a return to Alabama, but left no doubt that should a team draft him, he’ll be headed for the league.
When asked what role he’d play at the next level, Philon said a “tough-minded point guard that coaches rely on,” hoping to instill “trust” that he can handle the ball and “guard other great guards in the league.”
“I think once I get a little stronger, I’ll be able to do that at a higher level,” Philon said. “I’m very confident about my defense going into the NBA.”
Philon’s preparation for the 2025 NBA Draft has been a little different than what he experienced readying himself for college basketball and beyond at Alabama.
“It’s been a real change for me basketball-wise, because the floor is more bigger and you’ve got to learn how to play off yourself and be able to make an impact any way you can,” Philon said.
The areas where Philon is focusing most on improving his game include building strength, speed and confidence, and above all, developing his shot.
“Playing on and off the ball is really a big thing for me right now. I think in the past season, people have seen that I can play off the ball, but most of the concern is if I can still get my own bucket, so that’s been one of my main emphasises right now,” Philon said.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
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