The day before the 2026 NBA draft, Labaron Philon Jr., recalled the “special moment” when he told his Alabama team that he would return for his sophomore season.

His Crimson Tide teammates and coaches wanted him back, of course. And Philon “put my career in their hands,” he said, “and really trusted they were going to get me better every day.”

Philon went from a defensive disruptor and guard who complemented former star Mark Sears as a freshman, to Alabama’s bona fide best player and leader as a sophomore. His production numbers organically jumped, but also were a product of deliberately focusing on improving as a three-point shooter (31.5% to 39.9%) and playmaker (3.8 assists to 5 per game) after receiving that feedback from NBA teams.

“That was the only thing we focused on,” Philon said, “… me just getting better.”

That work turned Philon into a first-round pick whom the Sixers were thrilled to nab at 22nd overall Tuesday night. Now, Philon’s professional work begins. That includes applying the adaptability he believes is one of his “biggest traits,” and will be particularly useful when joining a backcourt already featuring Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

“I describe it as making the game easy for everybody around you,” Philon said Thursday morning from the Sixers’ facility. “… Being able to play ‘advantage basketball’ and being able to just stay on the right page and be focused within the team and not yourself. That’s something they taught me back at Alabama, and I carried it a long way.

“Being able to keep playing that way and not changing now, I feel like is really important.”

It was fitting that some of the first Sixers representatives that Philon spoke to on draft night were his new backcourt-mates. Philon said Thursday that he is eager to learn from Edgecombe, who made an instant impact in his first NBA season and finished third on an excellent Rookie of the Year ballot. And Maxey began his NBA journey in a similar spot as Philon, as the 21st pick in the 2020 draft who initially played behind Ben Simmons and then morphed into an All-NBA third-teamer.

“It’s definitely just getting to that level,” Philon said, “being able to compete every day with those guys is definitely going to be special.”

Maxey and Edgecombe also were among the NBA’s leaders in minutes played last season, meaning Philon could immediately provide beneficial rest through the 82-game marathon if he can play on and off the ball.

Philon in college used his shiftiness to get into the paint — and footwork to keep his options open for himself and others — while averaging 22 points in Alabama’s high-powered offensive system. He also boasts a “ball hawk” defensive mentality, which fits coach Nick Nurse’s aggressive philosophy and can generate transition opportunities on offense.

Philon’s on-court debut will be at Las Vegas Summer League beginning July 9, as the expected headliner of that Sixers team. After that, his offseason work could take him to Los Angeles, where Sixers assistant Rico Hines organizes legendary pickup games. Or Dallas, where Maxey has been known to recruit younger teammates for workouts. Or solo gym sessions, where Philon said he relies on imagination and high pace to simulate game-like scenarios.

But the draft week whirlwind is already requiring Philon to be adaptable. Good thing he believes that is one of his best basketball traits.

“Keep working hard,” Philon said, “and just stepping forward and really putting my head down.”

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