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Both Alabama + Auburn basketball fans received good news Wednesday just before the NBA Draft decision deadline.
After stellar freshman seasons, Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford and Alabama’s Labaron Philon have decided to return to their respective schools for at least one more collegiate season.
Both players were projected as first-round picks in next month’s NBA Draft but before the 11:59PM decision deadline hit Wednesday, Pettiford + Philon both officially announced they were headed back to school.
Keep reading to learn more about both players + their impact at the college level.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Pettiford was one of the top recruits in the country from the Class of 2024. In his first season on The Plains, he became an integral part of the team + helped lead the Tigers to the Final Four.
As a freshman, Pettiford played in 38 games + finished third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.6 points per game. He finished second on the team in total 3-pointers made (70) and led the team in assists (113).
The point guard was considered a late first round or early second round pick in many mock drafts. Most recently, an ESPN article called Pettiford the most underrated player in the draft.
But now, he returns to the Tigers for what will likely be a starting role with more opportunities on offense.
“Pettiford will likely always be a score-first player, but if he can be increasingly efficient while making the most of his ability in other areas, he’ll sharpen his case as a first-rounder, where he’ll project to begin next season. Going back to school to work on those things should prove to be a beneficial decision.”
Labaron Philon, Alabama
The former Alabama high school Mr. Basketball made an immediate impact in Tuscaloosa. He was one of six players to average at least 10 points last season.
Philon led the Tide with 1.4 steals per game and finished second on the team in assists per game (3.8). He started 29 of 37 games as a freshman.
With Mark Sears graduating, Philon could step into a starting point guard role next season with a much higher usage rate on the offensive end.
“Alabama was also a surprise winner, with Labaron Philon announcing shortly before the deadline that he was going back to Tuscaloosa. Philon said at the combine that he had closed the door on a return to Bama, but his second-round projection and opportunity for a bigger role as a sophomore makes this the sensible decision.”
Which player do you think has a better sophomore season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
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