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CHICAGO — Amari Allen was grateful to have had Labaron Philon to lean on during what could have been his one and only year with Alabama basketball.
The teary-eyed Crimson Tide freshman sat in the locker room of United Center after the 90-77 Sweet 16 loss to No. 1 seed Michigan on Friday, March 27. It was evident that Allen was weighing whether or not he had just played his last game in an Alabama uniform.
When asked about his future, Allen's answer was up in the air, but one thing was clear. Philon already having gone through the process of declaring for the NBA Draft created a bond between the two.
"I mean, I'll definitely be back here next year," Allen said. Then, he paused.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Bench heroes disappear on Alabama basketball in Sweet 16 vs Michigan
REQUIRED READING: NBA or back with Alabama basketball? Labaron Philon opens up on future
"You know, unless my agent, you know, says the NBA is the best option," Allen continued. "But if that's not the case, I'll be right back here."
In USA Today mock drafts ahead of the Alabama-Michigan game, Allen was projected to go 30th overall to the Dallas Mavericks despite suffering a slump of sorts going into the postseason. He was 1-for-6 with six rebounds and three assists against Wolverines.
Meanwhile, Philon is predicted to go 11th overall to Golden State and finds himself weighing a draft decision once again, too.
Allen said he wasn't sure if Philon, a sophomore, would be classified as a "veteran." Regardless, his time on the team − or lack thereof − didn't mean he couldn't give good advice.
"We're kind of in similar spots," Allen said. "He's been through a lot of stuff that I'll probably go through in the future. Just to be able to hear from him and follow his lead, it's something I'm real grateful for."
The tip?
"Just don't focus on it really," Allen continued. "He told me to live in the moment. Not many get to play in these games. You don't know how many you'll play. Just enjoy the moment and being there with your team."
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball's Amari Allen weighs NBA Draft with Labaron Philon's help
Continue reading...
The teary-eyed Crimson Tide freshman sat in the locker room of United Center after the 90-77 Sweet 16 loss to No. 1 seed Michigan on Friday, March 27. It was evident that Allen was weighing whether or not he had just played his last game in an Alabama uniform.
When asked about his future, Allen's answer was up in the air, but one thing was clear. Philon already having gone through the process of declaring for the NBA Draft created a bond between the two.
"I mean, I'll definitely be back here next year," Allen said. Then, he paused.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Bench heroes disappear on Alabama basketball in Sweet 16 vs Michigan
REQUIRED READING: NBA or back with Alabama basketball? Labaron Philon opens up on future
"You know, unless my agent, you know, says the NBA is the best option," Allen continued. "But if that's not the case, I'll be right back here."
In USA Today mock drafts ahead of the Alabama-Michigan game, Allen was projected to go 30th overall to the Dallas Mavericks despite suffering a slump of sorts going into the postseason. He was 1-for-6 with six rebounds and three assists against Wolverines.
Meanwhile, Philon is predicted to go 11th overall to Golden State and finds himself weighing a draft decision once again, too.
Allen said he wasn't sure if Philon, a sophomore, would be classified as a "veteran." Regardless, his time on the team − or lack thereof − didn't mean he couldn't give good advice.
"We're kind of in similar spots," Allen said. "He's been through a lot of stuff that I'll probably go through in the future. Just to be able to hear from him and follow his lead, it's something I'm real grateful for."
The tip?
"Just don't focus on it really," Allen continued. "He told me to live in the moment. Not many get to play in these games. You don't know how many you'll play. Just enjoy the moment and being there with your team."
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball's Amari Allen weighs NBA Draft with Labaron Philon's help
Continue reading...
