Labaron Philon Jr., a sophomore forward from Alabama, heard his name called at the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, landing him with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Coach Oats’ Draft Pipeline
The selection marks the 20th first‑round pick in Alabama’s history and makes Philon the seventh player drafted under head coach Nate Oats, who has guided the Crimson Tide to an unprecedented pipeline of NBA talent.
Philon’s rookie résumé is already decorated: he earned third‑team All‑American honors, posted 725 points in a single season — the third‑most in program history — and set a school record for points scored by a sophomore.
His 1,117 career points place him 47th on Alabama’s all‑time scoring list, while his 22.0 points and 5.0 assists per game, shooting 50.1% from the field, topped the nation in scoring and ranked third in the SEC.
The 76ers will now integrate a player who not only brings scoring punch but also playmaking versatility, a combination that could reshape the team’s second‑unit dynamics as the franchise looks to rebuild around youthful talent.