Labaron Philon talks Tide: ‘This will be one of the best rosters Alabama’s ever had’Baker’s Labaron Philon shoots against Enterprise during the AHSAA Class 7A South Regional at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)

Labaron Philon is pumped about playing for Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Earlier this week – and five days after requesting Kansas to release from his letter of intent, the former Baker High School (Alabama) star committed to the Tide.

On Tuesday, he expressed his excitement on WNSP-FM 105.5 in his hometown of Mobile.

“That coaching staff did a great job with talking to me and letting me know what the plan is,” Philon said. “We all came into an agreement that playing for Alabama would be a huge part of my career. Coming back home, being able to play in front of friends and family. That was one of the biggest things in making the decision.

The 6-foot-4 guard is the 33rd-rated player nationally, per 247Sports Composite rankings. Philon averaged 35 points per game as a junior for the Hornets. Last season, for Link (Mo.) Academy, he hit 44 percent of his 3-pointers, something Oats couldn’t help but notice.

“That was one thing coach Oats and his staff were high on,” Philon said.

Still, the time in Missouri made Philon a more rounded-player.

“It got me better,” he said. “We had a great team with high-caliber players. It felt like it made my game better. … I’m more of a natural point guard, learning how to control the game, control the pace and get guys where they need to be, and be a leader. My game has grown.”

Still, Oats had some help on the recruiting trail. Alabama’s Mr. Football and member of the Crimson Tide’s latest class, Ryan Williams, steered his friend in the right direction.

“Ryan Williams is like my brother,” Philon said. “We always dreamed about it. Pretty sure we’re going to have a good time.”

The fact that Grant Nelson is returning to Tuscaloosa only makes Philon more eager to get started. The Tide has three high school recruits and now four transfers incoming after six players departed: Chris Youngblood, Houston Mallette, Aden Holloway.

“It’s very exciting to see him come back,” he said of Nelson. “Grant’s gonna be a big piece of this team to make a run.

“This will be one of the best rosters Alabama’s ever had.”