Throughout the 2024-25 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2025 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, questions, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.
Labaron Philon
Position: Guard
Team: Alabama
Class: Freshman
Height/Weight: 6'4", 177 lbs
Birthdate: November 24, 2005
High School: Link Academy (MO)
Player Overview
Labaron Philon has emerged as one of the most pleasant surprises in this year’s freshman class, showcasing his ability to impact games with a blend of skill, poise, and high basketball IQ. Philon is an advanced offensive processor, playing at a controlled pace and consistently displaying exceptional passing vision. He reads defenses quickly, adjusts mid-drive, and finds gaps with impressive patience and touch around the rim. As a scorer, he’s shown the ability to convert at all three levels, though he’s most effective at attacking the basket.
While Philon’s slight frame and lack of vertical explosiveness limit his physical upside, his aggressive playstyle and strong positioning allow him to make an impact as a rebounder. Defensively, he’s a pesky on-ball defender who thrives on quickness and anticipation rather than physicality. To unlock his full potential, Philon must continue developing his three-point shooting consistency and decision-making, particularly with passing under pressure.
"A talented guard who is ahead of schedule compared to my initial expectations. He’s shifting the narrative from 'if' to 'when.' I’ll be monitoring him closely this season." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
Strengths
High Basketball IQ: Processes the game quickly, making smart decisions on offense.
On-Ball Defense: Effective at disrupting opposing guards with his quickness and instincts.
Three-Level Scoring: Can score at the rim, mid-range, and from beyond the arc, with his soft touch standing out.
Passing Vision: Excellent at finding teammates in stride and adjusting to defensive shifts.
Aggressive Rebounder: Overcomes his slight frame with strong positioning and effort.
Concerns
Slight frame: Needs to add strength to handle physicality at the next level.
Vertical limitations: Lack of elite athleticism may limit finishing against NBA rim protectors.
Turnover prone: Forces passes at times, leading to unnecessary turnovers.
Questions
Can he continue developing to serve as the primary ball-handler at the NBA level?
With a bigger offensive role, will he still bring consistent defensive impact?
How will his three-point efficiency change as the sample size grows?
Bottom Line
Labaron Philon’s combination of poise, passing vision, and three-level scoring makes him one of the most intriguing guard prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. While his physical limitations may raise questions about his ceiling, his aggressive style, maturity, and basketball IQ provide a strong foundation for success. If he can continue improving his three-point consistency and decision-making, Philon has the potential to carve out a valuable role as a versatile and efficient playmaker.
Stay ahead of the game! Check out the Babcock Hoops 2025 NBA Draft Big Board to discover the top-ranked prospects and their potential draft positions.