Counting the ways Labaron Philon's shocking return impacts Alabama basketball | Goodbread

A couple weeks ago, Nate Oats stood in front of a gathering of reporters ahead of the Regions Tradition golf tournament and acknowledged that the point guard role for the 2025-26 Alabama basketball team wasn't exactly set in stone."We think (Latrell) Wrightsell and (Houston) Mallette can play a little point guard," said UA's seventh-year coach.

"That's definitely a little bit of an issue."It was a diplomatic way of saying the most important position in a Crimson Tide offense that values pace and ball distribution was unsettled at best.

An acknowledgement that a program built to win on 80-plus possessions per game hadn't identified who would possess the ball most.MORE ON PHILON'S RETURN: Labaron Philon is back: What are potential starting fives for Alabama basketball in 2025-26?RUNNING IT BACK: Alabama basketball's Labaron Philon leaves fans 'most caught off guard' since exit of Nick SabanThat Labaron Philon had bolted for NBA riches was a foregone conclusion at the time.That he will instead be back in an Alabama uniform for a second college season has changed everything for the Crimson Tide, and no doubt, Oats' outlook on the point guard position as well.

Philon stunned NBA clubs and Alabama fans alike Wednesday with his decision to withdraw his name from the NBA draft and spend another year in Tuscaloosa.

Considered a surefire draft pick and a borderline first-rounder the draft will be held June 25 Philon will instead be the much-needed spear tip of Oats' offense this year, his presence alone allowing the aforementioned Wrightsell and Mallette to create less and shoot more.

Ditto Aden Holloway, the 3-point sharp-shooter who is also more effective receiving passes on the perimeter than dishing them from the paint.Oats could not have asked for better news.

Not from the recruiting trail, not from the transfer portal, not from anywhere.

A year ago, the coach secured returns from a core of seniors who anchored one of the top teams in the nation.

This time, he's netted a return from a dynamic talent who can make a similar impact.Last season as a freshman, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than 2-to-1, Philon was the only Alabama guard not named Mark Sears who looked truly primed to assume the point guard job for 2025-26.

He can get to the cup, shoot from deep and see the court well enough to drive into traffic and still find open shooters.

Defensively, while he was relatively easy to screen, he developed into a stopper on the ball.

His averages of 10.6 points and 3.8 assists per game last year will make, at a minimum, incremental jumps in Year Two.

But Philon's surprising decision to return does more than merely re-introduce his production to the starting lineup.

It sets up Holloway and Wrightsell for more open looks.

It sets up transfer 7-foot center Noah Williamson for pick-and-roll feasting.And it sets up Alabama for yet another deep NCAA Tournament run.Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23.

Reach him at [email protected].

Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Labaron Philon's shocking return means for Alabama basketball.

This article has been shared from the original article on yahoo, here is the link to the original article.