Thursday, October 1, 2026
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CAMDEN, N.J. — Shortly after the Sixers drafted him Tuesday, Labaron Philon said joining Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in Philadelphia felt “destined.” Thursday morning, Philon met with media members for his introductory press conference after being selected with the No. 22 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Philon explored the possibility of the 2025 NBA Draft after his freshman season at Alabama. During that process, Philon met with Philadelphia, who considered the guard among their options with the No. 35 pick before he opted to return to school.
That decision paid off for Philon. A year later, he developed into a first-round prospect and landed with a Sixers team that had valued him even as a freshman. More importantly, he expanded his game, developing skills that should help him make the transition to the NBA.
"It was very important for me to go back and work on the shooting," Philon said. "The off-ball shooting and being able to play on and off the ball. Not really having a preference of what to do and being able to adapt to any situation they put me in and being able to play basketball, I feel like for me, that’s one of my biggest traits as well. Being able to adapt and do both. So, really it’s just working on that outside shooting and getting stronger and working on the things that I feel like are going to take my game to the next level."
The excitement of making it to the NBA is not lost on Philon, but his focus after landing in Philadelphia was on familiarizing himself with the organization, the staff and his teammates.
“Draft night, it was definitely a special night,” Philon said. “Moving on past that, talking with the staff and everybody around the program, it's definitely a great feeling, just to get down here.”
Philon joins a backcourt in Philadelphia led by Tyrese Maxey, one of the primary players the rookie studied in preparation for his return to Alabama. After his Tuesday night selection, Philon becomes the next guard under the watch of the Sixers' franchise guard.
"I haven't talked to him a lot, just with everything going on in the draft," Philon said of Maxey. "But he hit my number, just told me to hit him when I need anything, and definitely it was great to see that the Sixers actually selected me, just because that similar play style, but really just hearing from him, it was definitely like exciting for me, just to see another top guard like that in the league being able to take a young guy in and just like show him the ropes. So I'm really excited to get to work with him."
Philon was widely considered as a potential lottery talent, but saw his stock fall in the weeks leading up to the draft, resulting in his availability at No. 22 for Philadelphia. Ahead of Philon, a number of guards were selected. Two separate runs on guards, beginning with Keaton Wagner (5), Mikel Brown Jr. (6), Darius Acuff Jr. (7) and Kingston Flemmings (8), and then later Bennett Stirtz (16), Ebuka Okorie (17) and Christian Anderson (18). It’s not uncommon for players to use a draft-day slide or the names of those selected ahead of them as a chip on their shoulder, but that doesn’t interest Philon, who’s simply focused on becoming the best player he can.
"[I'm] just worried about myself,” Philon said. “Just worried about my own game and worried about me just getting better in production, working really hard just to get to that point, I feel like you don't get there comparing yourself to nobody."
One perceived area of improvement that is an oft-questioned aspect of Philon’s game is his defensive ability. Practically hand-in-hand with concerns of his slight frame and the Sixers’ lack of general size alongside Maxey and Edgecombe, fans and analysts alike have voiced concerns about his potential as an NBA defender.
Philon does not share those concerns.
"My skills to be a ball hawk,” Philon said. “Get steals and be able to pressure the ball at the point of attack. Being a guard in the NBA, you have to do that to be able to play both sides. That's a big thing for me."
The Sixers play an aggressive style of defense, looking to force the ball free whether on-ball or working passing lanes as they look to then push the pace and score in transition. Philon’s performance last year at Alabama saw that ability in spurts, but his work as a freshman was far closer to the player he described. In a role with a reduced offensive burden than he saw as a sophomore, Philon will have the opportunity to make a greater impact defensively, something head coach Nick Nurse will surely demand.
Philon took full advantage of his increased usage at Alabama between his freshman and sophomore seasons, increasing his usage percentage from 20.9% to 30.0%. Developing those offensive skills was crucial. In Philadelphia, he will be able to flash those skills, but won’t be the team’s offensive engine like he was for the Tide. Now, he will have an opportunity to play a more controlled role, which will allow him to focus on his development, particularly on the defensive end.
Before he gets to work alongside Maxey, Edgecombe, Paul George and Joel Embiid, Philon will first join the Sixers’ Summer League squad, where he will be able to show off his electric skill set as a floor general. Philadelphia will not take part in the Salt Lake Summer League this season, but will compete in the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, which runs next month, from July 9 to July 19.
MORE: What the Labaron Philon pick reveals about Mike Gansey's vision for the Sixers
