Labaron Philon, Mark Sears, and Grant Nelson have all received invitations to the NBA Draft Combine. Each had a crucial role in the Alabama basketball team’s 2025 run to the Elite Eight.

The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program just received a trio of endorsements from the professional ranks. Labaron Philon, Mark Sears, and Grant Nelson—three players who played pivotal roles in Alabama’s 2025 run to the Elite Eight—have all received invitations to the NBA Draft Combine, the premier evaluation stage for draft hopefuls. While each player’s journey was uniquely demanding, all three proved vital to Nate Oats’ squad, blending experience, leadership, and explosive talent into a March Madness campaign that revitalized Crimson Tide hoops.

For Alabama, a school that has rapidly transformed itself into a consistent contender under Oats, these invites are not only a reflection of individual talent but a program-wide testament to the Tide’s developmental success. Each player made meaningful contributions to a 2024–25 campaign filled with national attention, thrilling comebacks, and an ultimately valiant run that ended in the Elite Eight—just one game short of a second straight Final Four.

This is the story of how Philon, Sears, and Nelson earned their spots among the nation’s top NBA hopefuls—and what their Combine invitations mean for Alabama basketball and their professional futures.

No player was more synonymous with Alabama basketball over the past two seasons than Mark Sears. After returning for a final season with championship ambitions, the veteran guard didn’t disappoint. He led the Crimson Tide in scoring, orchestrated the offense with elite poise, and embraced the leadership burden that came with elevated expectations.

In the 2024–25 season, Sears averaged 19.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. More impressively, he did it with ruthless efficiency, shooting over 42% from three and nearly 87% from the free-throw line. His ability to take over games in crunch time became a hallmark of Alabama’s success. Whether it was draining deep threes, slicing through defenders for floaters, or locking in defensively, Sears consistently made winning plays.

His performance in the NCAA Tournament only amplified his draft stock. In the Round of 32, Sears dropped 28 points against a rugged defensive team in Michigan State, outdueling their seasoned backcourt. Against North Carolina in the Sweet 16, he had a near triple-double with 21 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. Even in the loss to Arizona in the Elite Eight, Sears fought valiantly, scoring 25 of Alabama’s 71 points.

Sears’ Combine invite is a deserved reward for a player who embodies both skill and work ethic. Though slightly undersized for an NBA guard at 6’1″, his toughness, vision, and scoring touch make him an intriguing second-round prospect who could carve out a role in the league.

Nate Oats praised Sears often, calling him “a coach on the floor” and “the most reliable player in the country.” If he impresses during the Combine’s 5-on-5 scrimmages and agility testing, he may rise even higher on draft boards.

Few players in college basketball present the kind of versatile skill set Grant Nelson offers. At 6’10” with the ability to handle the ball, pass, and shoot, Nelson came to Alabama from North Dakota State with high expectations—and after a transitional 2023–24 season, he delivered in a major way during his final collegiate year.

Nelson’s 2024–25 season saw him average 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while anchoring Alabama’s interior defense with 1.5 blocks per game. He found his groove as a stretch-four who could attack mismatches, hit open threes, and provide rim protection. His March Madness run was especially memorable.

In the Sweet 16 against North Carolina, Nelson matched up with All-American Harrison Ingram and held him to just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, while contributing 18 points and 11 boards himself. He was a matchup nightmare—too quick for traditional bigs, too long for forwards. His late-season play, coupled with a strong motor and basketball IQ, has intrigued NBA scouts.

Nelson’s Combine invitation will give him the chance to showcase his perimeter agility and improved shooting mechanics. Once considered a fringe draft prospect, he now sits firmly in the second-round conversation, with the potential to sneak into the late first round if a team falls in love with his skill set.

“Grant has all the tools—length, shooting, defensive instincts,” Oats said during the SEC Tournament. “He’s just scratching the surface.”

Expect Nelson’s Combine performance to be under the microscope. His measurables, lateral quickness, and shooting consistency will heavily influence where he lands come draft night.

Labaron Philon arrived in Tuscaloosa as one of the most highly touted recruits in recent memory, and somehow, he still managed to exceed expectations. As a true freshman, Philon quickly claimed a starting role and became one of Alabama’s most electrifying offensive threats. His mature game and fearless attitude stood out in a backcourt full of veterans.

Philon averaged 12.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game while playing outstanding perimeter defense. But his impact went beyond the box score. He often guarded the opponent’s best scorer, hit clutch shots in tight games, and showed off an advanced understanding of tempo and spacing.

In the Tide’s NCAA Tournament opener against UC Irvine, Philon scored 17 points and dished 7 assists in a dominant win. Against Michigan State, he was key in the backcourt battle, hitting two late threes to seal the win. And in the Elite Eight against Arizona, he kept Alabama within striking distance with 16 points and several defensive stops.

Philon’s invitation to the Combine is significant because it’s relatively rare for a one-and-done player not projected as a lottery pick to receive such an opportunity. But his age, length (6’5″ with a 6’8″ wingspan), and two-way promise make him an intriguing developmental prospect.

He’ll use the Combine to prove he’s ready to make the leap—both physically and mentally. Scouts will want to see his decision-making in live scrimmages, his mid-range game, and whether his frame can add muscle for the NBA grind.

One scout at the SEC Tournament called Philon “a potential Tyrese Maxey-type riser,” suggesting that his stock could soar with strong workouts and interviews.

While Alabama’s 2025 Elite Eight run didn’t result in a national title, the legacy of this trio is already cemented in Crimson Tide lore. Together, they blended experience and youth, grit and finesse, swagger and humility. Their journey energized the fan base, validated Nate Oats’ system, and elevated the program’s recruiting profile.

More importantly, their individual stories represent different routes to success. Sears, the transfer-turned-star who bet on himself and returned for one last dance. Nelson, the mid-major standout who embraced a challenge at the highest level. And Philon, the young phenom who played like a seasoned vet from Day One.

Their Combine invitations signify more than NBA interest—they reflect the changing perception of Alabama basketball. Once viewed primarily as a football school, Alabama is now a proven breeding ground for NBA talent. With lottery pick Brandon Miller paving the way in 2023 and now this trio earning national recognition, the program is gaining legitimate respect on both the collegiate and professional levels.

All eyes now turn to Chicago, where the NBA Draft Combine will officially run from May 12 to May 19. It’s here where Philon, Sears, and Nelson will be measured, tested, and interviewed by dozens of NBA franchises. The on-court scrimmages will be televised, and performances can swing draft stocks dramatically.

For Sears, it’s a chance to solidify his standing as one of the most polished guards in the class. For Nelson, it’s about proving his floor-spacing ability and defensive versatility. For Philon, it’s the biggest audition yet—a stage where he can show he belongs among the best of his generation.

No matter how the draft shakes out, their achievements this season will be remembered as part of one of the most exciting chapters in Alabama basketball history. They turned dreams into wins, and wins into memories. Now, they chase another dream—this time, on the sport’s biggest stage.

The NBA Draft Combine invitations for Labaron Philon, Mark Sears, and Grant Nelson mark the beginning of the next chapter in their basketball journeys. But for Alabama fans, these invitations feel like a victory of their own. It’s a recognition that the Crimson Tide aren’t just building a team—they’re building a pipeline.

Philon’s youthful brilliance, Sears’ determined leadership, and Nelson’s unique versatility each brought something different to the court. Together, they brought Alabama within striking distance of a national championship. Now, they head to the Combine not just as individual prospects—but as Crimson Tide ambassadors, ready to represent a program that’s firmly established itself among college basketball’s elite.

As the Combine approaches, one thing is certain: NBA teams won’t just be watching. They’ll be taking notes. And Alabama fans will be cheering—this time, for a dream that lies just beyond the draft stage.