Under head coach Nate Oats, Alabama is starting to earn a reputation as a basketball powerhouse. The Crimson Tide have consistently made deep NCAA Tournament runs in recent years, most recently reaching the Elite Eight before falling to Duke. Along the way, they secured victories over Robert Morris, Saint Mary’s, and BYU. After the season, attention turned to the future of several key players. While veterans Mark Sears and Grant Nelson had used up their college eligibility, fans awaited a decision from freshman Labaron Philon. On Monday, Jonathan Givony of NBA Draft Express reported that Philon will enter the 2025 NBA Draft after just one season in Tuscaloosa.
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In his freshman campaign, Philon posted averages of 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, and started 29 of Alabama’s 37 games. He came into the program as a highly regarded four-star recruit, ranked No. 2 among point guards and No. 24 overall in the nation by 247Sports.
With Philon, Sears, and Nelson all departing, Oats faces the challenge of reloading his roster. Alabama will also need to replace contributors Derrion Reid and Jarin Stevenson.
