Alabama G Labaron Philon selected No. 22 in 2026 NBA Draft
By David Wasson
Published:
The Philadelphia 76ers already boasted one of the fastest backcourts in the NBA, and Tuesday’s 2026 NBA Draft made it even faster – as the Sixers selected former Alabama sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. with the No. 22 overall pick.
Philon entered the NBA Draft process after both his freshman and sophomore seasons in Tuscaloosa, opting for a return to Alabama in 2025-26 in the hopes of improving his 3-point shooting. Philon delivered 22.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 33 games last season – more than doubling his 10.6 ppg effort as a freshman. His 3-point shooting percentage also rose from 31.5 percent in 2024-25 to 39.9 percent last season.
Behind Philon’s improved play, Alabama went 25-10 overall and 13-5 in the SEC last season. The Crimson Tide earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 following victories over Hofstra and Texas Tech. But the Crimson Tide were eliminated in the Sweet 16 by eventual champion Michigan.
Philon was slotted as high as No. 13 in mock drafts, but heads to Philadelphia to join a backcourt that includes Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. The Sixers went 45-37 last season, finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference. After scraping past the Celtics in seven games to open the NBA Playoffs, Philadelphia was swept by the New York Knicks in the conference semifinals.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
