Labaron Philon is back: What are potential starting fives for Alabama basketball in 2025-26?
Six of those Crimson Tide players are guards, unexpectedly including the Mobile native after the SEC All-Freshman selection pulled out of the 2025 NBA Draft, 28 minutes before the withdrawal deadline.
Advertisement
Fans knew going into Alabama's most recent Elite Eight run that they would lose All-American Mark Sears. The hope was Philon would run it back, but that dwindled as his star rose throughout his rookie year. Panic struck for some when Philon declared for the draft on Apr. 15, and it only grew as the days went by with an open spot on Alabama's roster, which needed a proven presence to run the point and find its lengthy shooters.
NEW HOME FOR TIDE HOOPS: Nate Oats lays blueprint, talks move-in for NBA-inspired Alabama basketball practice facility
REQUIRED READING: What Labaron Philon said about unexpected return to Alabama basketball for sophomore season
Alabama guards for the 2025-26 season will also include returners Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Houston Mallette, who was officially approved for his medical redshirt earlier on Wednesday, as well as Miami transfer Jalil Bethea and incoming freshman Davion Hannah.
Advertisement
Philon's return opens up a number of possibilities for Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats' starting five.
Feb 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) celebrates after getting a breakaway dunk at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Kentucky 96-83. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
With Labaron Philon back, what are potential starting lineups for Alabama baseball?
Philon and Aden Holloway are locks to split the one spot for the Crimson Tide with Mallette and Bethea likely to share the work at the two.
"I think he's [Holloway] had a really good spring. I think he's going to have an even better year next year. He's one of the best shooters in the country," Oats said at the Regions Tradition a couple weeks ago.
Wrightsell is a lock for the three spot, but could potentially alternate with incoming freshmen London Jemison, who is billed at 6-foot-10, or Amari Allen. Oats noted Wrightsell should be ready to play in the fall, but it'll be his first season back since the ACL injury that put his career on pause in 2024, so preserving his health will almost certainly be a priority on the front-end of the non-conference schedule.
Advertisement
"The freshmen, we think, add positional size, length, shooting, athleticism. London Jemison had a really good year. He shot it really well," Oats said. "Amari Allen and Davion Hannah both I think are guys we're looking for. Guys that have been good in our system. 6-6, 6-7 guard wing that can create advantages."
Six-foot-ten Florida State forward transfer Taylor Bol Bowens is anticipated to start regularly at the four spot, where 6-8 Tarleton State former and WAC Freshman of the Year Keitenn Bristow will also be an option.
"He moves really well, though. He can play wing. You can go small and play him at the five if you choose to," Oats said of Bol Bowens.
At the five, Aiden Sherrell's late surgence as a three-point shooter, finishing 47% from deep in conference play, makes him a favorite to clinch the starting spot. It'll be a competition with Patriot League Player of the Year Noah Williamson from Bucknell, who stands at 7-feet alongside a growing Sherrell.
Advertisement
Williamson, a senior, can offer a veteran presence at center. However, Sherrell has survived the waters of the SEC and has a year of operating in Oats' fast-paced system already under his belt. Averaging 75.3 possessions per game, Alabama finished first in KenPom's tempo rankings. Meanwhile, Bucknell came in at No. 181 with 67.5 possessions per 40 minutes.
Nothing has been set in stone, but it seems like the most likely starting five for Alabama basketball down the stretch will be Philon, Mallette, Wrightsell, Bol Bowen and Sherrell. That's not to say Bethea couldn't make the jump to start between living up the upside he brings from a wanting freshman season at Miami, or how Mallette's knees hold up.
Oats thought that Alabama would "be fine" with the 11 it had before Philon's announcement. He didn't have to look far for the missing piece he was looking for to take the Crimson Tide on another deep run.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What could Alabama basketball's starting five look like with Labaron Philon back?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
21 minutes ago
- New York Times
NBA takes ‘significant' step toward evaluating expansion, commissioner Adam Silver says
LAS VEGAS — The NBA is starting to take a detailed look at potential expansion. Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday night that the league office has been directed by its board of governors to undertake 'in-depth analysis of all the issues around expansion, both economic and non-economic.' 'A lot of analysis still needs to be done, and nothing's been predetermined one way or another, and without any specific timeline,' Silver said. Advertisement The league currently has 30 franchises and last expanded when it added the Charlotte Bobcats, now called the Hornets, to begin play with the 2004-05 season. Much has changed since — particularly franchise values. Private equity firm magnate Bill Chisholm recently agreed to purchase the Boston Celtics in a deal that is ultimately expected to be approved for more than $6.1 billion. Financier Mark Walter recently agreed to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers from the Buss family in a deal that valued the team at $10 billion and could eventually value the team at $12 billion. 'I think there is a significant step now,' Silver said, when asked about the league potentially expanding. 'We're now engaging in this in-depth analysis, something we weren't prepared to do before. But beyond that … it's really day one of that analysis. So, in terms of price, potential timing, (it's) too early to say. And again, I think that assumes the outcome of this analysis. It's truly a complicated issue.' (This story will be updated.)
USA Today
22 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former Minnestoa Vikings OL predicted to be his new teams 'biggest bust' in 2025
Cam Robinson filled in admirably at left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 after Christian Darrisaw suffered an ACL tear in Week 8. The Vikings traded for Robinson during their bye week following the game, giving him little time to get up to speed with the offense. The Houston Texans signed Robinson in March, expecting him to protect C.J. Stroud's blindside in 2025. But can he handle the responsibility? Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report isn't so sure, saying that Robinson could be the Texans' biggest bust of the season. Robinson has always been a serviceable starter when healthy but never a star. He appeared in 17 games last season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings and was responsible for 13 penalties and seven sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus. With a one-year, $12 million contract, Robinson's price point is reasonable. However, he isn't likely to make fans forget about Tunsil—and that's assuming he manages to hold off rookie second-round pick Aireontae Ersery. Robinson did allow a league-high 64 pressures in 2024, but we'll give him some grace because of the strenuous situation he was thrown into. He has talent, as evidenced by his selection as the 34th overall pick in the 2017 draft. Can he protect Stroud for a full season, helping the Texans get over the playoff hump? Robinson is being counted on to do his part. We'll see if he can hold his own with a full offseason to prepare for the role.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
"It's been shown that I know how to score the ball" - Bronny is ready to take his game to another level next season
"It's been shown that I know how to score the ball" - Bronny is ready to take his game to another level next season originally appeared on Basketball Network. Being LeBron James' son isn't easy. Being LeBron's teammate is even harder, and being both simultaneously might be almost unbearable. Not because Bron is some kind of villain, but because the pressure of expectations and the spotlight are overwhelming. Advertisement That's precisely the situation Bronny James, the firstborn son of King James, finds himself in. From the start, things haven't been easy for him, especially since his talent isn't anywhere near his father's. Things escalated further when, in July 2023, Bronny suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a workout at USC's Galen Center. He was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, meaning he has a structural abnormality in his heart from birth. Despite all that, Bronny managed to make it to the NBA, getting selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 55th pick of the second round. The USC product didn't get much playing time in his first season — 27 games, one start, averaging 6.7 minutes per game. Naturally, the criticism followed, but the young James is ready to overcome that challenge as well by improving his offensive game. "It's definitely made me think about being more aggressive on that end of the floor, but I can't lose that defensive drive that will get me on the floor because there's gonna be guys that can score 15, 20 a game," James Jr. said. "I'm most likely not going to be that guy right now. To get myself on the floor, I've got to be a defensive menace. That's my main focus, getting conditioned this year. It's been shown that I know how to score the ball a little bit, I'm staying true to that, but also focusing on the defensive end." Bronny could develop into an essential piece on a championship team Defense is indeed his strong suit. While Bronny is far from an elite defender right now, with time, he could develop into a vital piece on a championship team like Derrick White —and that's precisely how LeBron sees him, as he shared on the "Mind the Game" podcast he co-hosts with Steve Nash. Advertisement "So, I have a group chat with me, Bronny, and Bryce. And from time to time, I'll send just things that focus them back in. So, I sent this [on] June 18th, 2024. I'll tell you who this guy is after I read this. 'Unranked in high school, zero D1 scholarship offers, played 3 years of Division II basketball at UCCS, transferred to Colorado, and now is an NBA Champion on one of the best teams in the NBA.' That guy is Derrick White... Hell of a player. And my message was to them, 'Everybody's road to success is different. So stay locked‑in and patient,'" LBJ shared. LeBron is right. In his rookie season, D-White played in 17 games, averaging 8.2 minutes. Last season, the Boston Celtics guard was one of the key pieces in the C's championship run and also helped Team USA win gold at the Olympics in Paris. Related: "After much consideration, I am now prepared to rule" - When Utah judge ruled Michael Jordan pushed off in his final shot in '98 Bronny's statement makes perfect sense It's hard to imagine anyone seeing that kind of future for White after his rookie year, where he now averages 16.4 points, 4.8 assists, and shoots 38% from three, and is widely recognized as one of the best lockdown defenders in the league. From that standpoint, Bronny's statement makes perfect sense. His foundation should always be defense, while his offensive game will develop over the years with hard work. Advertisement To go back to the beginning, as hard as it is to be LeBron's teammate, it's a blessing to witness firsthand how one of the greatest players of all time operates on a daily basis, and that is precisely where Bronny could improve. Related: "I would tell LeBron to let his son be who he is" - Gary Payton has strong advice for LeBron James on how he should manage Bronny's career This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
