June 23, 2026
Brad Penner/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Labaron Philon Jr. is the first player to be drafted by new Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey.
The Sixers' pick is in at No. 22 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
After more than two months of deliberation – between front offices led by two different primary decision-makers – the Sixers selected Labaron Philon Jr. on Tuesday night, tapping the Alabama guard as new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey's first draft choice in Philadelphia.
After weeks of wondering whether Gansey would draft for fit or target his highest-rated prospect, it is clear that he went with the latter. Philon has tremendous offensive gifts, but as a 176-pound guard, he is to some degree blocked by franchise cornerstones Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe – whose dynamic play in tandem was part of the reason the Sixers dealt Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a package of draft picks led by this choice.
A lengthy batch of highlights of the newest member of the Sixers:
LaBaron Philon - a microwave scorer who has all the skills needed to run a modern NBA offense...
— Dynatyze Basketball (@Dynatyze) June 24, 2026
- Elite 3-level scorer with limitless range
- Top 4 offensive impact (9.1 OBPM)
- Strong efficiency on high usage
- Fantastic P&R operator
- Solid playmaking pic.twitter.com/kJhjVbj81e
Labaron Philon against Michigan in the Sweet 16:
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) March 28, 2026
35 PTS | 10-21 FG | 6-14 3PT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 39 MINS pic.twitter.com/RDWKcqptFQ
There aren't many players in this year's draft class who can score the ball better than Labaron Philon.
— anthony chiu (@acfilmroom) June 22, 2026
The crafty guard returned to Alabama for his sophomore season and broke out, averaging 22 points, 5 assists and 1.2 steals on 50% shooting from the field and 40% from three.… pic.twitter.com/d2E2ecc73k
Labaron Philon navigates Yaxel Lendeborg (6’9+, 7’4 WS) into a screen, then rejects, beats Yaxel to lane and finishes with left.
— Chucking Darts NBA & Draft Podcast (@ChuckingDarts) April 19, 2026
Yaxel is not an all-defense prospect, but he’s good, and it is not easy to make this look easy. pic.twitter.com/5Rt1S9RfxJ
Labaron Philon’s growth as a perimeter creator this season has been unprecedented.
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) March 1, 2026
99th percentile (!) in isolation scoring (1.450 PPP), shooting 73.3% FG in isolation! Much improved YoY scoring propensities: FTr (0.29 —> 0.41), 3PA/100: (7.1 —> 10.1), rim FG%: (58.1% —> 67.6%). pic.twitter.com/d3UIBYNwIw
Labaron Philon is the quintessential “16-game player” that people aren’t talking about from this draft class.
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) May 20, 2025
High-feel playmaker (2.09 A/TO) with strong ancillary skills & off-ball scoring creation — disruptive point-of-attack defending (36.7% dFG), motor + anticipation @ 6’4. pic.twitter.com/MWQgaRs0PD
