Alabama guard Labaron Philon has officially withdrawn his name from consideration as an early entrant in the 2025 NBA Draft, opting instead to return to the Crimson Tide for his sophomore season.
The 6-foot-4 combo guard had garnered attention from NBA scouts and was widely projected as a possible late first-round or early second-round pick.
By coming back to college, Philon positions himself to benefit from continued development under Alabama’s coaching staff while also capitalizing on name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities.
The extra year provides him with the chance to refine his game, boost his draft stock, and potentially solidify himself as a higher pick in future drafts.
During his freshman campaign, Philon showcased his all-around skill set, averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per contest.
He shot an efficient 45% from the field, though his perimeter shooting remains an area for growth, converting just 31.5% of his 3.4 three-point attempts per game.
With a year of experience now under his belt, Philon will look to take on a larger role and further establish himself as one of the top guards in college basketball heading into the 2025–26 season.