Labaron Philon’s draft-night slide already looked strange. After all, the Alabama guard was viewed as a lottery-level talent, but a crowded guard class pushed him down the board before Philadelphia grabbed him at No. 22 overall.
One Summer League game later, that decision looks even sharper for the 76ers.
Philon wasted no time making an impression in his debut, putting up 18 points and seven assists as Philadelphia beat the Detroit Pistons 101-93. He went 4-of-10 from three and finished 6-of-19 overall, but the raw shooting line only told part of the story. In Summer League, rookies rarely make things look clean on the scoreboard anyway.
What stood out was how Philon got his work done. His handle was the headline. He kept defenders off balance, got where he wanted on the floor, and showed the same kind of control that made him so dangerous during his two seasons at Alabama.
#22 overall pick Labaron Philon Jr. made his NBA Summer League debut for the @sixers today!
18 PTS
7 AST (game-high)
4 3PM
PHI W pic.twitter.com/Wp7QM4zS3V
- NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2026
That kind of debut immediately got people talking. NBA observers were quick to point to the way Philon moved with the ball and how easily he seemed to create separation. The reaction around him was loud, and it came fast:
I don’t know how folks are gonna stay in front of Labaron Philon. Gonna be a problem with Philly’s second units…
- David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 9, 2026
My first impression of Labaron Philon:
Jesus Christ that guy has the ball on a string. His handles are at 98
- Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) July 9, 2026
Labaron Philon might already be the best player coming off the Sixers bench
- RB (@RBPhillyTake) July 9, 2026
Gotta say, Labaron Philon is looking silky smooth so far. Had the defender spinning on this one. pic.twitter.com/BuvWa9Vn7j
- Erin Grugan (@eringrugan) July 9, 2026
For Philadelphia, the fit is easy to picture. With Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe in the starting lineup, Philon can slide into a clearly defined reserve role as a jolt of energy off the bench.
That wasn’t necessarily obvious before Thursday. The 76ers’ offseason, which included the trade for Jaylen Brown and the addition of Anfernee Simons in free agency, left Philon’s place on the roster a little murky. After one Summer League outing, it looks a lot clearer.
There’s still plenty of runway ahead. The level of competition will rise once the regular season starts, and Philon will need to get stronger if he’s going to finish through contact, one of the concerns raised before the draft. Scoring in the paint gets a lot harder in the NBA than it did in college, and that part of his game will have to grow.
But the foundation is there. The shot-making was encouraging, and the handle was even better. Philon looked like the player his supporters believed he could be, and after one game, there are probably a few teams that passed on him wishing they had another chance.
In Other News...
Labaron Philon Is Already Making One Draft Decision Look Risky
Labaron Philons first few days in Las Vegas have done little to slow the buzz that followed him out of Alabama. The former Crimson Tide guard, taken 22nd overall by the 76ers after an impressive sophomore season, has already looked comfortable against NBA competition, and his early Summer League play has only strengthened the case that he belonged in the first round. In one outing, he led Philadelphia with 24 points and added six assists in an overtime win over the Pacers, the kind of all-around line that tends to travel quickly through draft-night conversations.
Christian Anderson, meanwhile, has had a quieter start with the Hornets, and that contrast is already inviting second-guessing from outside observers. Charlotte used its pick on Anderson, but Philons immediate impact has made the decision look at least a little risky in hindsight, especially for a team that passed on a guard who is showing he can create, score and control a game right away. Summer League only goes so far, but in a league where first impressions matter, Philon has made one draft choice feel a lot more fragile than it did a week ago. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Miller Just Reached A Massive Moment In Charlotte
Brandon Millers second season in Charlotte gave the Hornets exactly the kind of proof they were hoping to see after a shoulder injury slowed his start. Once he got back on the floor, Miller settled in as a central piece of the rotation, topping 20 points per game and knocking down a career-best 38% of his 3s, a strong sign that his game is trending in the right direction just as the franchise starts making bigger decisions around him.
Jeff Peterson has already made clear the Hornets view Miller as part of the long-term plan, and that makes this offseason a pivotal one for both sides. Miller is expected to be eligible for a major extension, and the conversations around his future now go beyond simple development - they touch on how Charlotte wants to build its next core and how much responsibility Miller is ready to carry as that picture comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Kalen DeBoer Is Already Facing A Conversation Alabama Fans Dread
The early returns on Kalen DeBoer at Alabama have been productive enough on paper, with 20 wins against eight losses in his first two seasons, but the conversation around him has already shifted from results to identity. Even with a College Football Playoff appearance on the ledger, the loss to Indiana and the broader feel of the program have left some fans uneasy about whether Alabama still looks like Alabama in the trenches.
That unease has centered on physicality and the rushing game, the kind of concern that tends to linger in Tuscaloosa when expectations are this high. DeBoers new contract only raises the stakes around every debate, because Alabama is no longer just judging a coach on wins and losses, but on whether the style of play matches the standard the fan base expects. [Read more 🡒]