Alabama basketball stars Grant Nelson and Mark Sears are turning heads at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, but the first day of competition in Chicago has been unusually quiet for their Elite Eight teammate Labaron Philon.
Just as it did in his standout freshman season in Tuscaloosa, Philon’s name did manage to strike up a buzz Monday, but fans on social media were disappointed to see the news that came with a post by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony on X. When Givony released the 5×5 rosters, Nelson was listed as a member of Team Williams and Sears running the point for Team Mueller, but Philon was nowhere to be found.
Despite going on a podcast with internet personality Zach Schumaker just a couple weeks ago and discussing the changes in his preparation to compete in the combine, indicating the basketball world would see him go man-to-man, Philon opted not to compete in Wednesday’s scrimmages. Talk of Philon’s draft decision that dominated much of Alabama’s March Madness conversation, so why would that be the case?
Why would Alabama basketball’s Labaron Philon sit out of 2025 NBA Draft Combine scrimmages?
In a report by Givony and Jeremy Woo from earlier in the week, the two explained the combine isn’t the “be-all and end-all” for evaluations, but described how prospects will remove themselves from scrimmages “for fear that a poor showing will sink their standing.”
Over the past few months, Philon has moved up and down the draft board, often in part to a need for further development on offense, and it’s something the Mobile native will acknowledge.
After the lottery, Givony and Woo have the Alabama guard going to the Brooklyn Nets as the 36th overall pick.
Philon told Schumaker “most of the concern is if I can still get my own bucket,” adding that playing on and off the ball was another point of emphasis.
On Monday, Philon measured at 6-foot-2 and 3/4 barefoot and weighed in at 174.6 pounds. His wingspan came out to 6-6 and 1/4 with a standing reach of 8-3 1/2. On Alabama’s 2024-25 roster, Philon was billed at 6-4, 177 pounds.
Philon has until June 15 to decide whether he will continue the draft process, or withdraw to return to Alabama next season.
Alabama basketball players discuss Labaron Philon’s big night vs. Kentucky
Alabama basketball’s Mark Sears, Grant Nelson and Chris Youngblood discuss Labaron Philon’s 21-point night in a 99-70 win over the Kentucky Wildcats.
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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