LaBaron Philon Brings Holiday Cheer Home to Mobile with Heartfelt Toy Drive
Just two days before Christmas, Alabama basketball player LaBaron Philon turned Murphy High School into a holiday haven, hosting a toy drive that brought gifts, smiles, and a whole lot of hometown pride to kids across Mobile.
Philon, a Mobile native and former Baker High School star, is home for the holidays from the University of Alabama-and he’s using his platform to give back to the community that helped shape him. This wasn’t just a quick stop for photos or a ceremonial appearance. This was personal.
“Home is everything,” Philon said. “That’s one of the reasons I chose to come back to Alabama and play basketball. It means a lot to be able to do something like this here.”
And it showed. The event wasn’t just a toy drop-it was a full-on celebration.
Tables lined with wrapped gifts, free haircuts, Christmas decorations, Santa hats, and even shiny new bicycles greeted families as they arrived. The energy was pure joy.
Kids got to meet a local hero they’ve only seen on TV, and they walked away with more than just presents-they left with memories.
Philon wasn’t just a figurehead at the event. He was in the mix-playing basketball, signing autographs, and connecting with the kids one-on-one. For him, that interaction was the real reward.
“I saw a lot of kids that were really shell-shocked to see me in person,” he said. “A lot of people watch me on TV during the games, but getting that real interaction-it’s special for them. And for me.”
You could tell this meant something deeper to Philon. It wasn’t about headlines or highlight reels. It was about showing the next generation what’s possible-and reminding them that someone who walked the same streets they do is now playing on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.
“Every kid that walked in, they smiled,” Philon said. “That was the biggest thing that warmed my heart-just to see that the kids believe in me, trust in me to come out here and hold an event like this.”
For the kids of Mobile, Christmas came a little early this year-and it came from one of their own.
Philon will spend the next few days at home with family before heading back to Tuscaloosa on December 26. The Crimson Tide are set to face Yale at home on December 29. But before he gets back to business on the hardwood, Philon made sure to handle some meaningful work off the court-and in doing so, reminded everyone what it means to give back.