Kansas basketball decommit Labaron Philon commits to new school after leaving Jayhawks

Kansas basketball fans have become familiar with unexpectedly losing players and recruits during the season. In the span of less than a year, Chris Johnson, Marcus Adams Jr., and Labaron Philon have requested a release from their letter of intent to play in Lawrence before competing in a collegiate game.

Philon decommitted from Kansas last week after the influx of transfer portal talent started to pour in and 5-star PG Darius Acuff took his official visit to campus. The 6-foot-4 guard is a top-30 player in his class on most recruiting outlets and could have become an excellent player, but the path to playing time was too difficult for him. However, Philon had no difficulties finding a new school to call home, as he pledged to the Alabama Crimson Tide yesterday.

Former Kansas basketball signee Labaron Philon pledges to Alabama

In just a matter of days, the Mobile native has made it back to his home state. He was a one-time recipient of Alabama's Mr. Basketball award and spent three years at Baker High School. Alabama was one of his top options when he committed to Kansas, and he finally made his way there.

Philon is no stranger to bouncing around schools. He transferred to Link Academy for his senior year of high school and was once committed to Auburn for two months. Now, he hopes to find a permanent home in Tuscaloosa after the Crimson Tide made a Final Four run this past season under HC Nate Oats. 

He was once considered a big-time pick-up for the coaching staff. Philon is an exceptional outside shooter and played against some of the best competition in the country this year, showcasing his versatile skill set on multiple occasions. In 12 games on the EYBL circuit, he posted averages of 11.7 points and 4.3 assists.

While Kansas did not anticipate losing Philon, that is the price of recruiting more experienced talent over younger recruits. The Jayhawks have one more scholarship open to fill the maximum limit of 13 unless Coach Self opts to finish the self-imposed limit the program induced on itself in response to NCAA violations.