Assessing Labaron Philon, Grant Nelson, and Will Riley in the Alabama-Illinois Game

November 21st, 2024

Yesterday, I took the time to watch Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis and Illinois play against a very deep and talented Alabama team that reached the Final Four last season. Grant Nelson got off to a hot start early by making three three-pointers in the first three minutes, and Alabama also received strong guard play from freshman guard Labaron Philon, who had a near triple-double, and Aden Holloway also played very well to hang a hundred points on Illinois to get a double-digit win against them. For Illinois, Will Riley quietly played well, as he played well especially in the second half. Here are my thoughts on how Philon, Nelson, Riley, and other various prospects fared in this game.

Alabama’s 6-4 freshman point guard, Labaron Philon scored 16 points, and had 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block in his team’s 100-87 win over Illinois.
(Photo: Alex Martin/Journal and Courier, via Rivals Alabama)

Labaron Philon had a tremendous showing to help lead Alabama to get a convincing win over Illinois. He is a speedy, aggressive playmaker that showed a knack for scoring on strong, tough drives to the hoop, and he also showcased good court sense and defensive skills, as he made one impressive play after another in this game.

Philon did a very good job of scoring off the dribble. He is an aggressive, fleet-footed guard that has a quick first step, and he can also use a series of maneuvers to score around the basket. He showed good balance, body control, and scoring touch around the basket to score consistently, and he also can take on the contact to draw fouls upon defenders to regularly get to the free throw line. He also is a solid athlete, and he was able to drive up court to score on a two-handed dunk in transition. On the other hand, Philon missed on both of his threes, as he didn’t shoot nearly as well from the outside.

Also, Philon very good playmaking skills. He was terrific as a playmaker in this game, as he made an assortment of clever passes to rack up assists. Philon showed a knack for throwing accurate lobs, and he also was able to dribble and make a quick no-look pass back to a teammate to notch an assist. He has the foot speed to be able to consistently turn the corner as the primary ball handler on pick-and-rolls, and he showed off pinpoint passing skills and very good court vision to get assists at will.

Also, Philon did a great job of rebounding the basketball. He has a keen nose for the ball, and he excelled at hauling in boards on both ends of the floor. He also defended well. He was able to poke a ball away to get a steal. He also quickly ran in to intercept a pass to get another. Plus, he also was able to rotate to contest a drive to force a miss and then haul in a defensive board right afterwards, as he has good agility and defensive instincts.

In summary, Labaron Philon played very well, and both he and Grant Nelson were dominant to help lead Alabama to get a double-digit win over Illinois. Philon quietly had a very impressive performance as he showed a knack for making sound plays on both ends of the floor. He’ll need to be a more consistent outside shooter, but Philon is a very talented prospect that could end up being a lottery pick in the 2025 draft.

Alabama’s 6-11 senior center, Grant Nelson scored 19 of his 23 points in the first half, and he ended up making 4 threes, as well as hauling in 8 rebounds in this game to get his team the 100-87 win over Illinois. (Photo: Vasha Hunt/Associated Press, via KSTP)

Grant Nelson put forth a sterling performance to help lead Alabama to a double-digit win over Illinois. He is an athletic, very skilled big man that shot the ball very well from the outside, and he is a smooth, three-level scorer that showed a very good feel for the game.

Nelson did a great job of knocking down shots, especially from beyond the arc. He showed a knack for making open threes off the catch, and he also showed that he can comfortably make them off of pick-and-pop plays, as well as from the corner. He also was able to make a mid-range jumper smoothly. Plus, he excelled at scoring on smooth drives to the hoop, as he has a crafty pump fake combined with having the ball handling skills and very good scoring touch. Plus, he also showed a solid ability to score in the post. He was able to use a drop step move and a pump fake to score and get fouled due to possessing good footwork, agility, and touch around the basket. He also leapt up to score another time.

Also, Nelson showed off solid playmaking skills in this game. He passed and handled the ball well, and he made good reads when he was on the floor. He showed a knack for finding cutters on the move to notch assists due to possessing solid court vision. He also generally excelled at making passes off the dribble. On the other hand, there was one play where he threw a hasty pass that got picked off once.

He also showed a solid ability to rebound the basketball. Nelson also played adequate defense in this game. Nelson would rotate to block and contest shots off of drives to force misses around the basket, and he is a mobile big man that can play with a sense of verticality. He also intercepted a pass to get a steal. On the downside, sometimes he would tend to be too aggressive when contesting shots, which would lead him to commit fouls. Another time, he sagged too far off of a shooter, which led him to give up a mid-range basket.

In general, Grant Nelson had a dominant showing to help lead Alabama to get a thorough, convincing win over Illinois, and he may be one of the most underrated prospects in the 2025 draft. Nelson is an agile, very skilled big man that is a definite first round talent for the NBA draft, as he is a smooth sharpshooting big man that can also put it on the deck to score and notch assists, and he has the skills to develop into being a solid role player in the NBA.

Illinois’ 6-8 freshman swingman, Will Riley scored 18 points off the bench, as he made 3 threes-pointers, and he also had 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal in his team’s loss to Alabama.
(Photo: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images, via Sports Illustrated)

Illinois’ 6-8 freshman swingman, Will Riley had a solid showing in his team’s loss to Alabama. He is an aggressive, energetic swingman that projects well into a 3 and D role at the NBA level, and his sharpshooting prowess, upside, and size, athleticism, and skill package could enable him to be a first round pick in 2025. After he got off to a slow start in the first half, he steadily made plays in the second half to keep his team in the game for most of the way.

Riley did a good job of knocking down jumpers, especially from beyond the arc. He excelled at providing floor spacing to help his team on offense. He was able to make open spot-up threes off the catch, and he also used a crafty pump fake and a side step maneuver to calmly knock down a three-pointer another time. Riley is a sharpshooter that can make threes both off the catch and dribble, and three-point shooting easily looks to be his best skill on offense.

He also showed a decent ability to score off the dribble. Riley has a hard driving style that would enable him to draw fouls upon defenders to get to the free throw line. He also was able to drive in to score on an off-balanced, running mid-range jumper off the glass. On the downside, he had trouble knocking down mid-range shots off the dribble, as he tended to take off-balanced, rushed shots when driving to the hoop. Riley struggled to score on put backs off offensive rebounds in the first half, but he was able to score on a couple of strong put backs in the second half, as he played with more poise as the game progressed.

Also, Riley showed off solid playmaking skills. He passed the ball very well, and he is an unselfish player that would consistently find the open man to set up scoring chances for his teammates. He showed that he can make passes off the dribble and also find teammates on the move, and he did a good job of racking up assists without turning the ball over.

He also did a great job of rebounding the basketball. Riley was especially terrific at getting offensive rebounds to help his team on the glass. Defensively, he looked to be fairly average at best. For the positives, he is an active, vertical defender that has the physical tools to develop into a good defender in the future. On the downside, he was too aggressive in his rotations and on closing out. He committed a reach-in foul on an opponent that held the ball once. He also fouled a three-point shooter when trying to block a shot another time, but if the officials hadn’t ruled that a foul, then it could’ve been a solid play for Riley.

Overall, Riley quietly played very well in his team’s loss to Alabama. He is an energetic, high-motor swingman that has above average athletic gifts, and he is a sharpshooter that plays hard on both ends of the floor. He’ll need to be a more disciplined defender in games, but his already solid offensive skills combined with his strong compete level and considerable upside could enable him to be a solid pick in the mid to late first round range for the 2025 draft.

Illinois’ 7-1 freshman center, Tomislav Ivisic had a solid showing in his team’s loss to Alabama. He is a tall, mobile big man that showed off versatile scoring skills, and he showed off a diverse offensive skill set along with shot blocking skills in this game.

Ivisic showed a solid ability to score out of the post. He showed deft footwork along with solid scoring touch, as he can use quick shoulder fakes and spin moves to score on smooth, turnaround jump hooks. He also was able to roll to the rim to score on a dunk early on. He also shot the ball fairly well from the outside, and he is a good shooter for a big man. Ivisic was able to make a pair of open, spot-up threes off the catch to showcase his shooting skills from the outside.

He also showcased fairly average playmaking skills. Ivisic is a willing passer that will make the extra pass to find the open man, and he also can handle the basketball. On the downside, he threw a lazy pass that got intercepted once. Also, Ivisic did a great job of rebounding the basketball. He also seemed to defend well in this game. He was able to poke a ball away to nearly get a steal. He also blocked a shot off of a drive to himself another time.

Overall, Tomislav Ivisic played well in his team’s loss to Alabama, and he is a tall, skilled big man whose scoring skills and ability to help protect the paint could enable him to be a solid second round pick in the 2025 draft. While he may not be an elite athlete, he is a versatile scorer that has a solid feel for the game, and he may have the skills to be a solid rotational big man in the NBA.

Aden Holloway played very well, as he especially excelled as a shooter and scorer on offense. He showed a knack for making threes from beyond the arc, as he showed that he can make threes off the catch and dribble, and n he also can run off ball screens to knock down outside shots. He also showed that he can score on speedy floaters when driving to the hoop, as he generally excelled at making shots when driving to the basket.

He didn’t get many assists in this game, but Holloway was able to throw a successful lob pass to a roll man to notch an assist. He also defended well. He was able to get his hands on a pass to help his team get a steal, and he also would contest outside shots to force misses. Overall, Aden Holloway had a strong showing, and he is an agile, skilled playmaker whose scoring skills could enable him to be a solid, game-managing, backup point guard at the NBA level.

Kylan Boswell had a solid showing in his team’s loss to Alabama. Boswell showed a solid ability to score off the dribble, and he had some tough, strong acrobatic finishes around the basket. He showed solid strength, body control, and balance to be able to score on those possessions. While he struggled to make threes consistently, Boswell was able to make an open three-pointer once, but he didn’t shoot the ball as well from the outside. He also showcased adequate playmaking skills. He would sometimes find the open man to get assists, but he also would sometimes telegraph his passes, which would get intercepted.

Plus, Boswell rebounded the ball very well in this game. He also seemed to play adequate defense, and Boswell was able to poke a ball away to get a steal. Overall, Boswell played fairly well in this game, and he is a strong, mobile point guard that excelled at driving to the hoop to score the basketball. He’ll need to be a more consistent player in games, but he is a skilled playmaker that could end up being a second round pick in the 2025 draft.

Alabama’s freshman big man, Aiden Sherrell played well in his team’s win over Illinois. He showed off a promising set of skills on both ends of the floor. He generally excelled as the roll man, and he was able to catch a lob pass to score on a high-flying, alley-oop dunk. While he struggled to make threes consistently, he was able to make a smooth three quickly late in this game.

As a playmaker, he looked to be about average at best. On the downside, there was one play where he threw a hasty pass that got intercepted. He also rebounded and defended well. He was able to defend a drive to block a shot, and he also would get his hands on passes to get steals and deflections. On the downside, sometimes he would play too aggressively, which would lead him to commit fouls.

Overall, Sherrell is an athletic, energetic big man that showed off some solid skills on both ends of the floor. He’ll need to be a more consistent outside shooter in games and get more playing time, but he has the athleticism, skill set, and upside to warrant legitimate consideration in the second round range for the 2025 draft.

Kasparas Jakucionis had his ups and downs in his team’s loss to Illinois. Jakucionis is a tall, agile big point guard that showed off promising offensive skills in the first half, but his tendency to try to make the flashy play rather than the simple one led him to be especially turnover prone late in the game.

Jakucionis showed an adequate ability to score off the dribble, as well as knock down jumpers. He is a crafty, shifty guard that can use a series of moves to get his shot off, and he showed a knack for making mid-range jumpers off the dribble. He also showed off better than advertised athleticism, as he would sometimes go all the way to the hoop to score the basketball. Plus, he also was able to make a smooth, pull-up three, and he also used his court savvy to get fouled on a three-point shot to get three free throws for himself. On the downside, he tended to settle for tough, rushed contested shots that would lead to some misses.

He also showcased adequate playmaking skills. For the positives, Jakucionis has solid court sense, and he is a risk taker that can make fancy drive and kick passes, and he can find teammates on the move to rack up assists. On the downside, he can tend to take too many risks, as he’ll try to fit balls into tight windows, and he tended to throw hasty passes that would get intercepted. Other times, he would throw inaccurate passes that would go astray, and on one play, he tried to throw a fancy, no-look pass that ended up going out of bounds.

Also, he was able to collect his fair share of boards when he was on the floor. Defensively, he looked to be fairly average. For the positives, Jakucionis would get his hands on passes to get steals and deflections. On the downside, he struggled to defend opposing ball handlers, and he would be out of position, which would lead him to commit touch fouls. On one play, he pushed an opponent in the back to foul a three-point shooter from behind to give up a score and an extra free throw. Another time, he was called for fouling an opponent on a drive to the basket.

Overall, Jakucionis didn’t have his best game, but he showed off versatile scoring skills and promising playmaking skills on offense. He’s not an elite athlete though and lacks elite lateral quickness, so he isn’t likely to develop into being a shutdown defender at the NBA level. He’ll need to cut down on the turnovers and improve on the defensive end, but his offensive skills and basketball IQ could enable him to be a solid second round pick in the 2025 draft.

Latrell Wrightsell Jr. played well for Alabama. He is a skilled combo guard that shot the ball very well from the outside, and he also made a slew of good passes to help his team on offense. He is a sharpshooter that can knock down outside shots both off the catch and dribble, and he excelled at making an assortment of passes to set up scores for his teammates. Overall, he had a strong showing for his team, and his shotmaking prowess combined with his intangibles could enable him to perhaps make it to the NBA someday.

Ben Humrichous excelled as a shooter and scorer for Illinois, and he also showed off some playmaking and defensive skillls in this game. He generally did a good job of making open threes, as he would take advantage of being given ample time and space, and he also used a pump fake to carve out open space to make a three-pointer another time. He also was able to drive off of an offensive rebound to score once.

He also was able to make a drive and kick pass once. He didn’t grab many rebounds, but he was able to get an offensive board in this game. He was able to intercept a pass to get a steal. Another time when defending a drive, he got beat on a spin move to give up the basket.

Overall, while he doesn’t have elite physical tools, Humrichous is a smart, skilled forward that shows a knack for making sound basketball plays, and his jump shot could enable him to compete for a roster spot in the NBA someday.

Jarin Stevenson had his ups and downs, but he was able to make some solidly impressive plays in this game, especially in the first half. Stevenson was able to utilize a drop step move to score out of the post. He also ran the floor to get the ball in order to score on a scintillating, high-flying two-handed jam. On the downside, he missed all of the threes he took on offense, but it was encouraging that he is willing to hoist them up.

He also passed and handled the ball well, and he was able to drive in and make a dump off pass to notch an assist. He also was able to get a couple of defensive boards to chip in on the glass. Defensively, he was active, but there was one play where he struggled to defend an opponent off the dribble, which led him to commit a foul that time.

Overall, Jarin Stevenson is an athletic big man that has shown a promising face-up game and perimeter skills, but he still looks to very much be a work in progress. Right now, he’ll need to continue to work on his jump shot and on the finer points of the game, but his athleticism, promising skill set, and upside could enable him to be an intriguing candidate to go in the mid to late second round range for the 2025 draft.

Clifford Omoruyi quietly had a fairly solid showing for Alabama in his team’s win over Illinois. He especially made some strong plays on offense by throwing down some thunderous dunks on the move late in this game.

He excelled at scoring on hustle plays. Omoruyi was able to run the floor and catch a lob pass to score on a powerful, two-handed alley-oop dunk while getting fouled. He also rolled and caught a lob pass to score on a strong, alley-oop dunk another time. Plus, Omoruyi showed off decent low post scoring skills. He also was able to get the ball inside and use a pump fake to score. On another play though, he used a drop step move, but got blocked by a defender.

He also did a good job of passing the ball and setting screens for his teammates, and he has a big, strong wide frame that allows him to free up his teammates to get them open jump shots. Plus, he also rebounded the ball very well. Defensively, he looked to be fairly average. He would contest shots both out on the perimeter and in the paint to force misses. On the downside, he would play too aggressively, which would lead him to be very foul prone.

Overall, Clifford Omoruyi had his ups and downs, but he saved his best moments for the late second half, where he managed to score on a couple of thrilling, powerful alley-oop dunks to give his team a big boost. He is an athletic, energetic center that currently is a second round prospect, and he could end up being a solid backup center in the NBA.

Derrion Reid had his ups and downs, but he would use patient, powerful moves to score on strong drives to the hoop, and he also was active at looking to score on hustle plays. He also was able to make a drive and kick pass to show some playmaking skills, and he also did a decent job of rebounding the basketball.

On the downside, he struggled defensively. He tended to close out too hard, as he bit wildly on a pump fake that left his man wide open on a three-point shot and led to a score that time, and he also fouled a three-point shooter another time. Overall, Reid didn’t have his best game, and he’ll need to improve his three-point shooting and defense, but his above average athletic gifts, scoring skills, and motor could may make him a second round prospect for the upcoming draft.

Mark Sears had a game to forget, and he did not play well at all. In fact, he was held scoreless, as he missed all of his threes. When he was missing open threes, sometimes he would take rushed shots that would also miss. While he was able to throw a successful lob to a teammate that netted him an assist, he would sometimes over-dribble and mishandle balls to commit turnovers. He also didn’t rebound the ball well. He also struggled to defend at the point of attack, as he would get beat off the dribble and struggle to defend opposing ball handlers, which would lead him to commit fouls. Overall, Sears has been very good in college basketball, but this was probably one of his worst games of his college basketball career. Still, by judging by what he’s done in all of the other games, if Sears can bounce back, he still has the offensive skills and the basketball IQ to be able to develop into a game managing, backup point guard in the NBA in the future.

All in all, those are my thoughts on how Philon, Nelson, and Riley, as well as how other various prospects fared in this game. Thanks for reading.