America, Meet LaBaron Philon

The No. 8 ranked Crimson Tide is loaded to the brim with talent.

First, you've got Mark Sears, the all-American, 20-plus points per game, sharpshooter from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Then you've got Grant Nelson, an electric stretch-four, Sweet Sixteen hero who can record a double-double any night. You also have Rutgers' transfer Clifford Omoruyi, a rim-running shot blocker who poses a threat on both sides of the floor, not to mention the array of three-point specialists and five-stars such as Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Derrion Reid, Aidan Sherrell, Jarin Stevenson, and others.

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However, one Crimson Tide player flew under the radar throughout most national circles this off-season. That player is Mobile, Ala. native Labaron Philon.

A local kid, Philon's recruitment was a whirlwind, to say the least.

Philon would initially commit to the Auburn Tigers on February 3, 2023, before recanting his pledge less than three months later.

Philon would reopen his recruitment, eventually committing and signing with Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks.

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However, Philon would have a change of heart, requesting out of his NLI in late April. Just two days after Alabama transfer, Rylan Griffen committed to the Jayhawks, the former Kansas recruit committed to Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.

As the Crimson Tide begin to get into the meat of their non-conference schedule, which features several top-25 matchups, Philon has already started to shine on the national stage.

In the Tide's crushing 87-78 loss to No. 13 Purdue in Mackey Arena, Philon was a bright spot for Alabama, recording 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists while shooting at a 70% clip.

In Wednesday's victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini, Philon was arguably the best player in the Tide's 100-87 C.M. Newton Classic win. Philon posted a near-triple-double, recording 16 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.

Notably, Alabama star Mark Sears was held to zero points in the Tide's Wednesday night victory over the Fighting Illini. Yet, the Crimson Tide were still victorious.

This is significant, not only because the Crimson Tide won, but because it shows that Alabama can win without a strong performance from Mark Sears, a feat that rarely happened last year.

Philon, last week's SEC Freshman of the Week, has quickly shown that he can be one of the best young guards in the nation through five games.

See Philon and the Tide in action tonight against the No. 6 Houston Cougars at 7:00 p.m. CT on TBS.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on X/Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.