Labaron Philon Jr. Averaged 22.0 PPG At Alabama, And One Reporter Says The Raptors Are About To Make A WILD Pick at 19

Alright, Seattle, we bleed green and blue, and trust me, I'm already counting the days to Sam Darnold slinging it at Lumen Field and Julio Rodriguez crushing dingers at T-Mobile Park. But man, the NBA draft chatter is starting to heat up, and there's a name floating around that you NEED to know. This isn't just some prospect hype, this is a legit scorer, and a major reporter just dropped a prediction for the Toronto Raptors that could bring some serious fireworks to the league. We're talking about Labaron Philon Jr., a 20-year-old guard out of Alabama who put up 22.0 points per game last season. Seriously, 22.0 PPG! The Raptors are picking 19th overall, and one insider thinks they're eyeing this dude, and that's a pick that could shift things.

This Kid's Numbers Are Flat Out Insane

Let's talk about Philon Jr. for a second. This isn't just a volume scorer. The guy averaged 22.0 points last season at Alabama, but check this out: he shot 39.9% from three-point range on 6.2 attempts! That's not just good, that's elite efficiency on serious volume. His full shooting splits for the year were 50.1/39.9/79.8. Are you kidding me? A 20-year-old guard with those kinds of numbers? The reporter, Sam Vecenie, called him one of the tougher players to evaluate in the draft class, but that's probably because he's got so many ways to dominate. This kid is straight up talented, and he can get buckets from anywhere. Any team getting a player like that is getting a steal, especially outside the top 10.

The Raptors' Next Move And What It Means

So, what about the Raptors? Vecenie, who's usually plugged in, predicted they'd snag Philon Jr. with their 19th pick. He said the Raptors are always tough to get a read on, especially with Bobby Webster running things, keeping their feelings about prospects super hush-hush. Vecenie did mention that some teams are saying Toronto is still "surveying the market for veteran, star-quality bigs," but when it comes to draft prospects, they go dark. Adding Philon Jr. would give them a much-needed "creator of offense," which could seriously help them take "the next step into the second round of the playoffs." Vecenie also said that "as long as his jumper holds up, he would be terrific next to both Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley." Their season was "impressive," but they need to get better "in both the immediate and long-term future." Snagging a scorer like Philon Jr. definitely ticks that box. The NBA draft is just around the corner, and while we're not talking about our Kraken, Seahawks, or Mariners, the league is about to get a whole new crop of talent. Philon Jr. is definitely a name to watch, and if he lands with the Raptors, it's going to be wild to see what kind of impact a 20-year-old averaging 22.0 PPG can have. The future of these teams is literally decided on draft night, and that's why we get so hyped!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.