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Labaron Philon flashes high ceiling in Alabama debut

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Labaron Philon flashes high ceiling in Alabama debut


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama found another freshman sensation from the Mobile area. This one does his damage on the hardwood instead of the gridiron.

While receiver Ryan Williams has filled up the stat sheet for Kalen DeBoer this fall, guard Labaron Philon appears poised to do the same for Nate Oats.

Making his first start during Alabama basketball’s season opener on Monday, fellow Mobile-area native Philon lived up to his preseason hype. The freshman scored 10 points while dishing out nine assists in the Tide’s 110-54 victory over UNC Asheville.

“Labaron came in right out of the gate when we got the guys here in June and established himself as one of the best two-way guards in the program,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said after the game. “he takes that role as a two-way guy very seriously… Within the first month of being here in summer, we knew he was going to be in the rotation—he’s just continued to establish himself.”

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Philon fired up Williams and the rest of Coleman Coliseum just nine minutes into his collegiate debut.

The former four-star converted his first career field goal with just under 12 minutes remaining in the first half on a putback layup. On the ensuing Bulldogs possession, Phillon stole the ball and raced down court, laying the ball in and adding two more points. As UNC Ashville tried to inbound, Philon was right there, snagging another steal before being fouled on a quick layup attempt. After being fouled, the freshman exchanged words with the Bulldogs player before turning to the crowd, urging them to make some more noise. Then he made the ensuing free throws after the media timeout. In a mere 30 seconds, the freshman scored his first six career points.

Philon’s play consists of craftiness, smooth dribbling and vision, which is why he says the play came naturally to him.

“Just playing off natural instincts,” Philon said. “being able to read when guys are ready to pass the ball, jumping the lanes, and just being able to calm myself down and get to the rim, you know, just make my free throws; just be locked in on that.”

Oats said Philon has a true chance to be an NBA draft prospect with shooting potential, strong defending and what was shown the most in Alabama’s opener, his passing. Philon’s crafty playstyle led to more highlights of him distributing the basketball with nine assists, one away from a double-double. The freshman showcased his playmaking with an early second-half lob to fellow newcomer Cliff Omoruyi, a center and transfer from Rutgers. But he also showed signs of his freshman status with a few rookie mistakes, leading Alabama in turnovers with four—no other player had more than two.

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If Phillon can cut back on the turnovers, he can offer a nice balance in Alabama’s backcourt, as one of the more skilled playmaking guards compared to sharpshooters Mark Sears, Latrell Wrightsell, Aden Holloway and Chris Youngblood, who is set to join the team in December back from injury.

Oats saw Alabama’s opener as a chance to give younger players valuable minutes, and no one benefited more than Philon. KenPom.com tracked Philon’s usage at the “go-to guy” level, with him involved in over 28% of Alabama’s possessions—more than any other player on the roster.

Regardless of his high usage rate, highlight plays or mistakes, Philon can at least say that the first-game jitters are over.

“It was a good feeling,” Philon said. “To start off kind of nervous in the first game, trying to get everything out. But once the ball tips off, it’s go time. I just try to lock in, stay mental, and stay ready at all times—whether on the bench cheering on my teammates or in the game, making plays.”



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Cardinals hosted Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor on top 30 visit, per report – Arizona Sports

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Cardinals hosted Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor on top 30 visit, per report – Arizona Sports


The Arizona Cardinals hosted Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor for a top 30 visit on Wednesday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport adds Proctor has met with the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.

The 6-foot-7, 352-pound Proctor is coming off his third and final season at Alabama, appearing in 15 games for the Crimson Tide.

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He was impressive these past two seasons, allowing just five sacks and seven quarterback hits in 26 games played, per Pro Football Focus. For his efforts, he was named co-winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is given to the SEC’s top offensive lineman. Proctor was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award, which is handed down to the nation’s top lineman.

At the NFL Draft Combine, he ran a 5.21-second 40-yard dash and posted a 32.5-inch vertical and 25 bench press reps.

Proctor is getting a lot of late first-round love from draft analysts this offseason. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has the tackle heading to the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 23 overall pick in his seven-round mock draft published Wednesday.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., meanwhile, has Proctor going as high as No. 12 to the Cleveland Browns following a trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

Which other OT prospects have met with the Cardinals this draft cycle?

The Cardinals have also reportedly hosted Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan and Florida’s Austin Barber on top 30 visits this offseason.

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Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor also had a local visit with the franchise.






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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs bills to expand rural health care, promote healthier SNAP buys

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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs bills to expand rural health care, promote healthier SNAP buys


Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a package of bills into law aimed at expanding rural health care access in Alabama, increasing the availability of emergency medical services and encouraging healthier food choices for people who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

“In December, I announced Alabama’s participation in a new Trump Administration program funded by the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ passed by Congress to expand rural healthcare delivery,” Ivey said. “Not wasting a moment, I worked with legislative leaders this session to remove legal barriers to ensure healthcare providers are able to work together to improve healthcare delivery in our rural areas. We have also freed first responders to deliver more life-saving services during ambulance calls, and we have joined other states in streamlining approval of out-of-state physician assistants to practice in Alabama. We are promoting healthier diets for Alabama SNAP beneficiaries by restricting the purchase of sugary foods that contribute to obesity and diabetes. These efforts along with several other pieces of legislation lay a solid foundation as we partner with the Trump Administration in improving rural healthcare delivery to better meet the needs of the public.”

Among the measures Ivey highlighted is the Alabama Rural Health Antitrust Immunity Act (HB605), which provides limited antitrust protections intended to allow collaboration among health care providers to maximize efficiency and sustain and expand services in rural areas. The law allows activities that include shared clinical, administrative and support services; coordinated staffing arrangements; joint quality improvement initiatives; and the purchase and use of shared facilities and equipment.

Another bill, the Alabama Physician Assistant Licensure Compact (HB156), streamlines state license approval for out-of-state physician assistants to practice in Alabama. Under the legislation, Alabama becomes the 24th state to approve the compact, joining Tennessee and Arkansas in the South.

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Several new laws focus on emergency medical services. Treat in Place (SB269) allows ambulance operators to be paid for medical services performed on-site. Under current practice, Emergency Medical Services providers are not paid unless they transport a patient to the hospital, even if the patient does not require full emergency department or inpatient care. Removing the patient-transport mandate for reimbursement is expected to increase the availability of EMS care and reduce patient overcrowding in hospitals.

The Expansion of EMS Tuition Reimbursement Program (HB116) adds the Alabama Department of Public Health’s six regional Emergency Medical Services offices to the locations that can offer eligible instruction. Graduates would be required to complete a two-year service commitment to qualify for tuition reimbursement.

Accepting Military Training for EMS Licensure (HB182) requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to accept an applicant’s education, training and experience gained during U.S. military service as credit toward meeting state EMS license requirements.

Two bills address out-of-pocket costs for certain cancer screenings. Under HB300, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, no health benefit plan sold in Alabama will be able to impose a copayment or similar expense on an insured person for a supplemental breast examination or a diagnostic breast examination. Under SB19, beginning Oct. 1, 2027, no health benefit plan sold in Alabama will be able to impose a copayment, deductible, or similar expense on an insured person for prostate screening for men older than 50, or men at “high risk” who are older than 40.

Ivey also signed a measure tied to SNAP benefits. Ensuring Healthy Choices for SNAP Benefits (SB57) has Alabama joining 22 other states in requesting a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used to purchase high-sugar candies and sodas.

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Another new law expands restrictions on nicotine use in public places. Indoor Vaping Restrictions for Public Places (SB9) extends the current ban on smoking cigarettes, pipes and cigars in a public space or in public meetings to include the use of a vaping device, electric cigarette or any other “electronic nicotine delivery system,” whether the e-liquid contains nicotine, THC or another substance.

In addition to the legislation, Ivey and the Alabama Legislature made appropriations for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services this year awarded $203.4 million to Alabama for projects the state proposed to improve health care for rural residents.



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Freshmen Power Alabama Baseball to Error-Laden Midweek Win Over UAB

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Freshmen Power Alabama Baseball to Error-Laden Midweek Win Over UAB


Alabama baseball committed six errors through the first five innings on Tuesday night in Birmingham, the program’s most in a game since 2008, but the bats were hot, waking up from a disappointing outing on Sunday to power the Crimson Tide to a 12-6 win over UAB.

Justin Lebron had not homered in 14 games, dating back to March 22 against Florida. He changed that on the fourth pitch of the game, slamming a deep shot to left field to give Alabama a 1-0 lead. Lebron, who has had some very notable struggles this season, has now quietly put together a seven-game hit streak, and still leads the team with 12 home runs.

The Blazers responded the next inning with one of their two earned runs of the day, as a pair of groundouts brought designated hitter Andrew Hunt, who hit a leadoff single followed by a stolen base, home to tie the game. Alabama was then put down 1-2-3 in the top of the third.

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The bottom of that inning featured the 14th error of the season from Lebron, who’s previous career-high in a season was 11. The junior fielded a grounder at short as the runner on second rounded third, and missed catcher John Lemm on a throw to the plate that would have beaten him easily.

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The teams continued to go back and forth in the fourth. Jason Torres laid down a nice sacrifice bunt to bring Neal home again, and then freshman Andrew Purdy, starting over Luke Vaughn at first base, hit his first career home run, a two-run blast that brought home fellow freshman Eric Hines.

The bottom of the inning featured two errors from Lemm, who has played clean baseball for the majority of the season. The first, an overthrown ball to second, had no impact, but the second, a catcher’s interference, led to two unearned UAB runs. Lebron tied the game the next frame with a sac fly, but Alabama’s defensive struggles were far from over.

Cleanup batter JP Head drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth, and then ended up on second after Evan Steckmesser sailed a ball into left field on a rundown. A wild pitch would score him, and UAB came out of the fifth with a 6-5 lead. Alabama had already committed six errors.

“This has been about as bad as you could defend a game through five innings, but at the end of the day, we’re down one,” head coach Rob Vaughn said of his message to the team. “So go find an excuse to win anyway.”

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The Crimson Tide loaded the bases in the sixth, as Hines ripped a leadoff double followed by walks from Torres and Purdy. Up to the plate came Caleb Barnett, the freshman making his first career start, just minutes away from his hometown of Mountain Brook. Barnett, who recorded his first hit on Saturday, cleared the bases with a double to left-center field that marked a turning point for Alabama.

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Sam Mitchell had come into the game in the bottom of the fifth to record the final out and settled things on the mound for Alabama. Coming off a rough outing on Saturday, he allowed just one runner over 2.1 scoreless innings.

Neal, who went 4-for-5 on the day, extended Alabama’s lead with an RBI single in the seventh, and Purdy capped off his career day with a three-RBI double in the ninth. The story of the game was the freshmen, as Purdy, Hines and Barnett all turned in key performances.

“You’ve got a real picture of the future of Alabama baseball with that group of guys there,” Vaughn said. “The beauty is, they are playing at a level where they force your hands, and the future comes a lot sooner than maybe was planned on.”

All three, and four if counting outfielder Chase Kroberger, have seen significantly increased roles over the past two weeks, and will likely be up for some big at-bats as Alabama heads to Austin to face Texas this weekend.

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