Labaron Philon Jr. keeps making the Philadelphia 76ers look smart for snagging him where they did.
Saturday night in Las Vegas, the rookie guard went for 24 points, six assists, and three rebounds against a Summer League crowd that included head coach Nick Nurse, President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey, and a few new teammates like Jaylen Brown, Adem Bona, and Jabari Walker. He hit threes. He pushed the pace. He even picked a pocket or two. For a guy who was supposed to be a project at his size, he looked ready.
One of his Summer League teammates, Hawaii product Isaac Johnson, put it bluntly after the game.
“He might be the steal of the draft. I’m not gonna lie,” Johnson told SixersWire. “Too many teams let him slip, and for him to fall here? He is incredible. How quick he is, how tight his handle is, how he’s able to shoot the ball, get down the lane. His passing instincts. He honestly might be the steal of the draft, and I’ll say that very confidently.”
Why Philon Jr. Slipped in the Draft
Coming out of Alabama, the knock on Philon Jr. was straightforward — not big enough, not enough defensive upside for a modern NBA guard. He measured smaller than teams like. So he fell. The 76ers grabbed him outside the lottery, which is exactly where they found Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain in recent years.
But in Vegas, Philon Jr. looks bigger and quicker than advertised. His three-point shot is clean, his handle is tight, and he’s hunting on-ball steals in a way that suggests the defensive concerns might have been overblown.
If that holds, he fits perfectly alongside Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe as a third guard who can score, pass, and defend. Nick Nurse’s system needs guys who can pressure the ball and still make plays on the other end. Philon Jr. is showing he might do both.
What Comes Next
Summer League is still Summer League. The real test comes in October against starting-caliber point guards who won’t let him get comfortable. But for a second-round talent the Sixers grabbed outside the top-20, the early returns are hard to ignore.
Philon Jr. gets another run in Vegas this week. If he keeps this up, Philly might have found another one.
Leave a Comment