Updated: Jan. 7, 2026 (CT) • SEC
Alabama’s starting point guard Labaron Philon did not return for the second half of the Crimson Tide’s SEC road game at Vanderbilt, creating immediate concern over a potential injury situation as the game continued.
Philon, a sophomore, quietly checked out with a little over 16 minutes remaining and was not seen back on the bench as the clock moved into the under-nine-minute stretch. With 6:05 left to play and Vanderbilt leading 80–72, the ESPN broadcast reported that Philon was in the locker room while Alabama waited for further information. (For live game context and stats, see the ESPN gamecast.)
Reserve Clarke Holter was also noticeably absent from the bench, though it was unclear whether his absence was connected to Philon’s situation.
SEC Injury Tracker
| Player | Team | Issue / Note | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labaron Philon | Alabama | Left 2nd half; reported in locker room awaiting info. Recent history included a contusion from a collision and a “minor knee/groin” note previously mentioned by Nate Oats. | In-game — no official update |
| Clarke Holter | Alabama | Not visible on bench during the same stretch; relationship to Philon situation unclear. | Unknown |
Note: This tracker reflects only publicly reported in-game observations and coach/broadcast remarks at the time. It will be updated if Alabama provides a postgame medical/availability update.
What we know so far
Philon entered the SEC opener after recently dealing with a lower-body issue. He previously sat out Alabama’s nonconference finale against Yale after what Nate Oats described as a contusion suffered in a collision against Kennesaw State. Oats also characterized the issue as a “minor knee/groin” ailment in comments reported at the time.
Before leaving against Vanderbilt, Philon had 18 points to lead Alabama, along with one rebound and one assist. His four turnovers were a factor in Vanderbilt jumping out early, though Philon rallied late in the first half to help Alabama reach halftime tied.
No official explanation was provided during the game window described in this update. As additional reporting emerges, this story can be refreshed with confirmed details from the program or broadcast partners. (Original developing report versions also appeared via Yahoo Sports.)
Developing: This article is structured for quick updates as new information becomes available.
