Class of 2024 4-star G Labaron Philon, the No. 1 recruit in Alabama, commits to Auburn
Baker (Mobile, Ala.) guard Labaron Philon, the top recruit in the state in the 2024 class, has committed to Auburn.
Philon announced his decision Friday during a ceremony at Baker High School. He chose Auburn over his other finalists: Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kansas and Tennessee.
“Auburn just feels like another home to me,” Philon told Auburn Live. “They took me in when I got on campus and made me feel at home.”
Auburn also made him feel like a priority.
“They recruited me hard,” he said. “Coach (Bruce) Pearl and Coach (Wes) Flanigan did a great job of recruiting me.”
Flanigan played big role in Philon choosing Auburn
Flanigan did most of the work. The longtime Pearl assistant and former Auburn star was the lead recruiter for Philon.
“(Flanigan) is the hardest worker I know,” Philon said. “He came to a lot of my games. Everywhere I went to play it seemed like he was there. He also checked up on me all the time and asked about my mom. That was special.”
Philon and Flanigan have built a strong bond since Auburn began its pursuit more than two years ago.
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“He started recruiting me when I was like 14 or 15 years old,” Philon said. “He’s a real cool, calm and collected coach, but he will get on you when you’re not doing the right thing. That’s the type of coach you’re going to need in your corner.
“He played a big role in me realizing that Auburn is the perfect school for me.”
Pairing with Pettiford for a talented backcourt
Although Philon is ranked as a point guard, he likely will be a combo guard at Auburn. The Tigers on Wednesday received a commitment from Tahaad Pettiford, who is ranked the No. 4 point guard in the class.
The two will team up to form a talented backcourt for Auburn in the future.
“Tahaad is 6-1 or 6-2 and I’m 6-4 or 6-5, so I’ll probably be playing the 2 as a combo guard with him,” Philon said. “He’s a great ball handler and a great shooter and a great on-the-ball player. I thrive more off the ball. It will be good.”
Philon is the third commitment in Auburn’s ’24 class, joining Pettiford and four-star center Peyton Marshall.
[ HOOP SCOOPS: What’s left for Auburn in the ’24 class? ]
Scouting Report
“Labaron Philon is a quick on quick lead guard,” On3’s Jamie Shaw writes. “He has long arms and a projectable frame with wide shoulders. Philon has a quick handle that gets him into the paint. He can knock down a jump shot with three-point range and consistency. There is a confidence and a competitiveness with Philon. He needs to add strength as he has a slight frame. There is upside on the defensive end; he can move his feet guarding the ball and is quick to get into the passing lanes. There is a natural smoothness he has on the ball with an upside to continue getting better.”
