The Philadelphia 76ers kicked off their preseason schedule on October 5, taking down the New York Knicks 120-97 in a game that gave fans a first look at the squad. While the massive offseason additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown have grabbed all the headlines, it’s their first-round draft pick, Labaron Philon, who’s already showing he’s ready to soak up everything he can from the NBA’s biggest stars.
From Alabama Standout to Sixers Rookie
Philon, a 20-year-old guard out of Alabama, was the 22nd overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, picked up by the Sixers just a few months back. His college career was a tale of two seasons. As a freshman, his game was all about defense, and he absolutely excelled on that end of the floor. But his sophomore year, the 2025-26 season, saw him step into a whole new offensive role, and man, did he deliver. Philon put up seriously impressive numbers, averaging 22.0 points per game, shooting 50.1% from the field, and draining 39.9% of his long-range shots. Plus, he dished out 5.0 assists across 33 games, starting in 32 of them. This kid knows how to adapt, and he’s going to need every bit of that mindset now.
Learning from Legends
Talk about walking into a loaded locker room! Philon was already set to share the court with established guys like Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe. But then the Sixers went out and snagged LeBron James in free agency and Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. Suddenly, the expectations on this team are sky-high, and Philon is right in the middle of it all. He’s not shying away from it, though, and told reporters at media day, “It’s a blessing just to be around guys like that. To be able to have a young guy in VJ who can help me with stuff that he’s seen his rookie year. It’s great to have four guys, five guys like that.” He knows a rookie doesn’t normally get this kind of opportunity. Philon added, “A rookie doesn’t normally get to play on a team like that or play with the stars like that. So I would say being able to have questions ready every day for those guys , I’m a rookie. I don’t really know a lot, and those questions can help me go to the next level.” You can’t ask for a better attitude.
A Fresh Perspective
It’s one thing to learn from LeBron, who’s in his unbelievable 24th season. That’s a huge age gap for a 20-year-old rookie. So, for a more relatable guide to navigating the new-guy experience, Philon is leaning on VJ Edgecombe. Edgecombe, the 2025 No. 3 overall pick, just went through his own rookie year and is now a bona fide NBA player with some experience under his belt. Philon and Edgecombe have known each other for years, and Philon is clearly taking full advantage of that connection. This kind of mentorship is invaluable for a rookie trying to find his footing on a team with championship aspirations.
The preseason has just begun, and with a lineup like this, every game will be a show. Keep an eye on Philon as he soaks it all in; he’s got the talent and the right mindset to make an impact, even surrounded by some of the greatest to ever play the game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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