Alabama basketball star invited to attend 2026 NBA Draft: Report

The Alabama basketball program could be front and center at this year's NBA Draft. Star prospect Labaron Philon has officially received an invitation to attend the 2026 NBA Draft in person, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo.

Rising to the Lottery

The high-stakes event is set for June 23-24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Philon, who concluded his impressive two-season tenure with the Crimson Tide, is widely projected as a lottery pick. Most analysts have him coming off the board early, with ESPN’s latest mock draft—published on May 19 following the combine—slating him as the No. 13 overall selection to the Miami Heat.

A Tide Legacy

Philon’s decision to declare for the draft followed Alabama’s run to the Sweet 16 in the 2025-26 season. The Mobile native finished his final campaign with the Tide averaging 22 points, five assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game.

In his heartfelt farewell announcement, the star guard reflected on his time in Tuscaloosa. "Returning for my sophomore season and representing my home state was one of the biggest blessings in my life," Philon wrote. "Being a kid from Mobile, wearing the Script A on my chest means everything to me and it has been one of the greatest honors to represent the Crimson Tide."

Philon extended his gratitude to the Alabama faithful and coaching staff. "This school and fan base has given me endless support since I stepped foot on campus two years ago," he added. "Thank you to Coach (Nate) Oats and the entire coaching staff for helping me develop into the player I am today. To my teammates, thank you for pushing me to be a better player and the friendships we have created will last a lifetime."