76ers Rookie Says He Studied Tyrese Maxey’s Game. Here’s What Stood Out.

The Philadelphia 76ers added another guard to the mix Tuesday night, taking Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. with the 22nd pick in the first round. And Philon made it clear right away that he already knew who he’d be learning from.

He didn’t just know of Tyrese Maxey. He studied him. On purpose.

PhillyVoice’s Adam Aaronson caught up with Philon after the draft, and the rookie detailed exactly what he admires about his new backcourt teammate. It wasn’t just the flashy stuff.

“Labaron Philon Jr. says he studied Tyrese Maxey because of Maxey’s ability to create his own shot, selflessness and fearlessness taking tough shots,” Aaronson posted on X. “’At the guard spot, that’s really what you need: someone that’s going to be a great leader.’ Mentioned Maxey welcoming VJ Edgecombe.”

Philon, a 6-foot-3 combo guard, spent one season at Alabama and averaged 15.8 points and 4.2 assists. He’s got a quick first step and a knack for finishing in traffic. But the thing that jumped out to him about Maxey wasn’t the handles or the step-back jumper. It was the way Maxey carries himself.

Maxey has become the face of the Sixers’ backcourt over the last few years. He averaged a career-high 27.1 points last season and made his second All-Star team. He’s also known around the league for being one of the harder workers off the court. Philon mentioned that Maxey already reached out to VJ Edgecombe, the Baylor guard Philly took at No. 15 earlier in the same first round. That kind of thing matters to a guy coming into a locker room with established stars.

The Sixers’ guard rotation is suddenly crowded. Maxey and Edgecombe are locks for minutes. Kelly Oubre Jr. is still around. Kyle Lowry isn’t getting younger but provides veteran depth. Philon might not crack the rotation immediately, but his skill set fits the modern NBA: he can play on or off the ball, he defends with his chest, and he doesn’t need 20 shots to impact a game.

But for one night, the draft room was less about depth charts and more about respect. Philon didn’t have to wait to get to Philadelphia to figure out who the alpha was in that guard room. He already knew.