Latest news with #LabaronPhilon
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Preston Murphy had one more surprise in store for Alabama basketball's 2025-26 roster
Family ties wrapped up Alabama basketball's roster for the 2025-26 season. UA athletics updated the Crimson Tide's team website with incoming freshmen, transfers and new assistant coach Chris Fleming, hired in place of Ryan Pannone after his move to Arkansas State. Advertisement Alabama still had a spot remaining after Labaron Philon's shocking return, but with staff backing out on transfer prospect Desmond Claude (USC), it seemed like the Mobile point guard's comeback completed the roster. Instead, assistant Preston Murphy had a surprise for fans on Tuesday: His son. Preston Murphy's son completes Alabama basketball roster for 2025-26 season Preston Murphy Jr. is a 6-foot-1 junior guard and will be a walk-on with the Crimson Tide. Murphy Jr. spent two seasons at New Orleans before he transferred to Northern Oklahoma College last year. He played 28 games, averaging 14.4 points while shooting 42% from the field with 4.1 assists and 3.4 boards. Murphy Jr. had double-doubles in 21 appearances. Advertisement During high school at St. Andrew's in Barrington, R.I., Murphy Jr. was labeled as a three-star recruit and was ranked 38th at his position by 247Sports among point guards in the 2022 recruiting class. The addition of Murphy Jr. makes 13 total players available for Alabama basketball this fall. Alabama basketball newcomers for 2025-26 season Jalil Bethea, G, sophomore Davion Hannah, G, freshman Amari Allen, F, freshman London Jemison, F, freshman Taylor Bol Bowen, F, junior Keitenn Bristow, F, sophomore Noah Williamson, C, senior Preston Murphy Jr., G, junior Who is returning for Crimson Tide after Elite Eight run? Labaron Philon, G, sophomore Aden Holloway, G, junior Latrell Wrightsell Jr., G, graduate Aiden Sherrell, C, sophomore Houston Mallette, G, graduate Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@ This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Preston Murphy's son to join Alabama basketball for 2025-26 season
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Labaron Philon is back: What are potential starting fives for Alabama basketball in 2025-26?
Labaron Philon's surprise return to Alabama basketball gives the Crimson Tide a full 12-man roster for the 2025–26 season — and a major boost in the backcourt. 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@ This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What could Alabama basketball's starting five look like with Labaron Philon back?
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who's on the 2025-26 non-conference schedule for Alabama basketball as of June?
Thirteen grueling games of non-conference play conditioned Alabama basketball for another deep run in the NCAA Tournament last season. Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats hasn't let off the gas in crafting Alabama's 2025-26 non-con slate and has spent the offseason sharing that he plans on his team having the "best schedule in the country again." Now that Labaron Philon is back in the driver's seat for the Crimson Tide's back court, it seems winnable. Advertisement As of now, Alabama's schedule next season starts with a visit to Madison Square Garden to face St. John's on Nov. 8. The two could even meet again depending on how things shake out at the Players Era Festival later in the month. Alabama walked away from Las Vegas as the runner-up to Oregon, which will be in attendance this year alongside Auburn, Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan, Notre Dame, Rutgers, San Diego State, St. Joes, Syracuse, Tennessee and UNLV. Including the Players Era Festival, Alabama has six confirmed dates on the schedule, plus certain appearances in the SEC/ACC Challenge, and against North Dakota and Yale. There's also been circulation of a potential matchup with South Florida, coached by former Crimson Tide assistant Bryan Hodgson. Alabama's latest addition to the schedule, as reported by Rocco Miller, will come against another member of Oats' coaching tree, Austin Claunch, who led University of Texas-San Antonio to a 12-19 record in his first season at the helm last year. Dec 14, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama head coach Nate Oats protests a call on a ball out of bounds at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Creighton 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News A look at Alabama basketball's 2025-26 non-conference schedule Nov. 8: at St. John's in Madison Square Garden Nov. 13: vs. Purdue Nov. 19: vs. Illinois at United Center (Chicago) Nov. 26-30: Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, Nev. Dec. 7: vs. UTSA Dec. 13: vs. Arizona in C.M. Newton Classic SEC/ACC Challenge − no dates announced vs. North Dakota − date has yet to be confirmed vs. Yale − reported by Jon Rothstein, date has yet to be confirmed Advertisement Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@ This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: A look at Alabama basketball's 2025-26 non-conference schedule as of June
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alabama basketball's Labaron Philon leaves fans 'most caught off guard' since exit of Nick Saban
Alabama basketball fans were left stunned when the news dropped that Labaron Philon would be returning to Tuscaloosa for a second season. With only 28 minutes to the withdrawal deadline for the 2025 NBA Draft, UA's NIL collective Yea Alabama announced that the Mobile native removed his name to come back to college, adding to a wild day for what X users call "IBOB Twitter" hours after Tahaad Pettiford said he will play his sophomore season at Auburn. Exactly a month after he declared for the draft, Philon told media on May 14 that the "door was closed" on a comeback at UA. Advertisement Those who tune in for Crimson Tide hoops had accepted the fact that Philon was a one-and-done wonder. He wouldn't grace the court in Coleman Coliseum again, or lift a trophy for a historic national championship. As of late Wednesday night, that's fiction. HOW WE GOT HERE: How did Alabama basketball react to Labaron Philon's decision not to return, move forward in NBA Draft? REQUIRED READING: Which 2025-26 Alabama basketball player will inherit No.1 from Mark Sears? Philon said it best in an Instagram post inspired by his idol, Michael Jordan: "I'm back." Dec 14, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) celebrates in the closing moments of the game with Creighton at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Creighton 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News Here were some of the top reactions from social media. Alabama basketball fans left 'shocked' by return of Labaron Philon Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@ This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Best reactions to Alabama basketball Labaron Philon's shocking NBA Draft exit
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama rises significantly in early 2025-26 rankings post-NBA draft withdrawal deadline
Alabama rises significantly in early 2025-26 rankings post-NBA draft withdrawal deadline It is no secret that the Alabama Crimson Tide were among the biggest winners from the 2025 NBA draft withdrawal deadline. As to why, Alabama - who were already considered among college basketball's best looking ahead to the 2025-26 season - saw a shocking turns of events as guard Labaron Philon announced right before the deadline that he was withdrawing from the NBA draft to return to the Crimson Tide. Weeks prior, Philon had previously announced that he would be remaining in the 2025 NBA draft, and would not return to Alabama. With the return of Philon however, the re-addition of the talented guard is certainly a boost to Alabama's 2025-26 roster outlook, and as a result, the Crimson Tide are now beginning to skyrocket up early Top 25 rankings, the latest of which came via ESPN's Jeff Borzello. In his updated Top 25 post-deadline, Borzello jumped Alabama seven spots up to No. 17, making the Crimson Tide one of the biggest risers behind only Florida. Borzello also said of the Crimson Tide: "Alabama was one of the big winners of the withdrawal deadline, with Labaron Philon making a late decision to remove his name from the draft and return to Tuscaloosa. The talented guard told reporters at the combine that he had closed the door on going back to college. But Nate Oats was on the hunt for a playmaker on the perimeter and now has Philon back in the fold." "Philon is part of a talented perimeter group that includes returnees Aden Holloway and a healthy Latrell Wrightsell Jr., while former five-star recruit Jalil Bethea will look to bounce back after transferring from Miami." "The frontcourt will likely have to rely on portal additions, namely Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson, who was named 2024-25 Patriot League Player of the Year, and Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen, a skilled forward and former highly touted recruit. Aiden Sherrell needs to take a step forward, too." In addition to ESPN, USA TODAY Sports also recently labeled Alabama among the biggest withdrawal deadline winners due to the return of Philon. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
