Given the depth of on-ball guards in the 2026 NBA Draft, someone good is going to fall. Only 10 players will be top-10 picks, and the redundancy at the top of the board makes a disappointing night for a deserving prospect almost inevitable. Right now, it sure looks like Labaron Philon Jr. is that guy, trending toward the 11-20 range despite being an absolute baller. Still, the best version of him is a high-level starting guard. The worst case? An elite sixth man in the mold of 2024-25 Payton Pritchard.

Philon made the difficult decision to return to Alabama for the 2025-26 college basketball season. He would have had suitors had he left after the 2024-25 season, but he wanted to prove himself as a true No. 1 with All-American Mark Sears no longer blocking him. In the end, Philon did exactly that, averaging 22.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He was also highly efficient while serving as the engine of the nation’s No. 3 offense (129.7 Adjusted Offensive Efficiency at KenPom), shooting 50.1% from the floor and 39.9% from deep. 

It’s hard to really pick out the flaws when diving into Philon’s offensive game. The 20-year-old is the best ball-handler in the draft, by far. He has the rock on a string, capable of putting together nasty combinations to create space for himself, or find seams to attack the basket. Philon is also really sharp when it comes to utilizing snake dribbles, or doing pretty much anything to manipulate defenders and change directions — he has side-steps, step-backs, and everything else you can possibly ask for. His bag work truly makes him a terror to defend in isolation, and the fact his jumper is lethal adds to everything. 

Most NBA guards that are absolute blurs with the ball in their hands are mostly threats to finish first, shoot second. Not Philon. While he’s happy to attack off the bounce and utilize his crafty layup package, or decelerate to draw fouls, he’s just as comfortable pulling up for mid-range jumpers or off-the-dribble triples. He has a gorgeous-looking jumper, and he’s outrageously smooth in the way he can quickly get it off. 

Philon’s pull-up shooting did fall off a cliff in the second half of the season, and that will be concerning to some. However, a lot of that likely had to do with the role he was playing in Nate Oats’ offense. It’s entirely possible he was a little fatigued down the stretch, and it didn’t help that he was the focal point of the opposing team’s scouting report. The pull-up shooting is still a bet-on skill, especially as he prepares to see NBA spacing. 

Philon is also an awesome playmaker, which stems from his comfortability in pick-and-roll actions. Philon was in the 94th percentile in points per possession generated as a P&R ball-handler last season, according to Synergy Sports. He loves rewarding his screeners with lobs, and that should only improve when he has a better vertical threat in the NBA. That’s not exactly something he had with the Crimson Tide. He’s also really sharp about kicking out to open shooters once his driving ability forces defenses to collapse on him. 

It’s just rare that a true three-level scorer with high-level playmaking feel and experience as an alpha on an elite offensive team is viewed as anything but a top-10 lock. In dissecting the film, combing through the numbers, and evaluating winning impact, Philon is right there with the other top guards in the draft.

The reasons Philon might have to wait a little longer to hear his name called are simple, even if they might not be agreeable. The main one is that he’s a little older than some of the draft’s other on-ball prospects. He’ll be 21 in November while the other guards, like Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff Jr., and Kingston Flemings, were freshmen last season. Front offices always prefer someone a little younger, especially when there isn’t much that separates them on the floor. Philon also happened to struggle defensively last year. Many believe the increased on-ball responsibilities hurt him on the defensive end. 

Philon was a feisty point-of-attack defender as a freshman, so front offices will be hoping he can get back to that. But even if he can’t, he is someone that will get his hands on the basketball and play passing lanes well. Also, let’s face it, if you’re drafting Philon, you’re not doing it because you expect him to turn into Jordan Goodwin. 

It’s just undeniable that there’s a quality NBA player in Philon. His skillset simply doesn’t grow on trees. And while he isn’t perfect, he can do some special things if he lands in a system that allows him to play to his strengths. 

The idea of Philon heading to Milwaukee, Chicago, Memphis, or Toronto is exciting, as he’ll get his chances to ball out without having to defer much. However, he’d also make for an interesting fit on a playoff team in need of some scoring juice. Detroit comes to mind, if Philon makes it to 21. Minnesota would also be interesting. The Wolves are interested in moving up to secure backcourt help for Anthony Edwards, and Philon might be able to deliver in a way that Rob Dillingham couldn’t.