LaBaron Philon Jr. is officially heading to the Philadelphia 76ers after making history Tuesday night as the 22nd overall selection in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. The dynamic Alabama Crimson Tide sophomore guard and former Baker High School standout is bringing his elite scoring package to Philly, marking a massive milestone for his hometown Mobile, Alabama.
Before commanding national attention, Philon built his elite scoring reputation right here in Mobile County. During an incredible three-season varsity run at Baker High School, he racked up a staggering 2,334 career points and was named Alabama Mr. Basketball in 2023.
After completing his high school career at Link Academy, Philon returned home to play under Alabama head coach Nate Oats. His decision to withdraw from the 2025 draft to bet on another year of college development paid off massively. This past season, Philon served as the offensive engine for the Crimson Tide, shattering the all-time school record for the most points scored by an Alabama player in a sophomore season with 725 points.
The Historic Stat Split: Philon concluded the season as the only NCAA Division I player in the nation to average at least 22.0 points and 5.0 assists per game while shooting above 50% from the floor (50.1%) and 39.9% from beyond the arc .
The draft choice marks a massive win for the 76ers front office, who jumped at the chance to grab Philon when he slipped to the No. 22 slot.
Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse highly values guard flexibility, and Philon’s advanced pick-and-roll instincts and deep perimeter range make him an immediate fit. The organization projects the 20-year-old playmaker to provide high-energy offensive depth off the bench, sliding in to support NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey and rookie companion V.J. Edgecombe.
Watch Labaron Philon Jr.’s live draft announcement alongside a breakdown of the elite playmaking and scoring highlights that caught the Philadelphia 76ers’ attention.Â
While draft analysts note that the 176-pound guard will need to hit the weight room to handle the physical toll of an 82-game NBA schedule, his signature sneaky pace and defensive grit are a perfect match for the passionate sports culture of Philadelphia.
To see the playmaking and scoring ability that caught Philadelphia’s attention, check out the Labaron Philon Jr. Official Alabama Highlights Video. This video features the game-film moments and top collegiate performances that turned the Mobile native into a first-round draft pick.
