Labaron Philon selected 22nd overall in 2026 NBA Draft
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For the first time since 2023, Alabama had a player selected in the NBA Draft.
Labaron Philon was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 22nd overall pick in the first round Tuesday night. The 20-year-old guard from Mobile adds to a lengthy NBA Draft history for the program:
- 49th player drafted
- 20th player drafted in the first round
- 7th player drafted in the Nate Oats era
Keep reading to learn more about Philon’s career to this point + what comes next for the former Crimson Tide star.
From Mobile to the NBA
Labaron Philon attended Baker High School where he won the state’s prestigious Mr. Basketball award in 2023. He was a two-time Class 7A Player of the Year.
Philon was a highlight of Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class, ranked as a top 30 recruit nationally by ESPN.
In two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Philon played in 69 games, averaging 15.9 points + 4.3 assists per game.
His collegiate accomplishments included:
- SEC All-Freshman Team (2025)
- First Team All-SEC (2026)
- Third Team All-American by the AP, NABC, Sporting News + USBWA (2026)
- 2 Sweet 16 appearances
- 1 Elite 8 appearance
- 53 total wins
Philon joins the the Sixers backcourt which already includes Tyrese Maxey + V.J. Edgecombe.
Yaxel Lendeborg to the Warriors
Yaxel Lendeborg, the former UAB star + reigning National Player of the Year with Michigan, was selected 11th overall by the Golden State Warriors.
Lendeborg averaged 15.8 points + 11 rebounds across 72 games with the Blazers. He transferred to Michigan for his final year of eligibility where he was a unanimous first team All-American + helped the Wolverines to the national title.
