Auburn hosted 2024 Mobile (AL) Baker guard Labaron Philon, the top-ranked junior in the state of Alabama, for an official visit over the weekend. While Philon has spent time on campus with the Tigers in the past, this weekend solidified his relationship with the coaching staff, and, in particular, head coach Bruce Pearl.

“The visit was great. I got a chance to hang out with the players and see the football game,” Philon told HoopSeen.com. “It’s a family business at Auburn. Coach [Bruce] Pearl described everything on campus as a family. It wasn’t all about recruiting me. He told me he knows that every school in the country has their eyes on me, but he would love to have me at Auburn.”

Pearl is indeed correct that many school across the country have the in-state standout on their wish-list. Kansas was one of several national programs that came through with a scholarship offer during the summer, but other programs are in hot pursuit of the four-star prospect.

“Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Arkansas, and South Alabama have been in to see me at school in the past few weeks,” he noted.

Philon, a talented 6-foot-4 combo guard, has distanced himself as one of the top players in the South in the past calendar year. He has a proven track record of scoring the basketball effortlessly while also creating opportunities for his teammates. In fact, he was one of the top performers from the Bama Jam in the spring.

With no other visits currently on tap, Philon is now looking forward to the high school season. He hopes to lead Baker to another strong year while competing in 7A. 

“My goals for this season are to help these guys at my school get better and win a state championship.”

Philon is currently ranked as the No. 43 overall player in the 2024 HoopSeen national rankings.