Nate Oats Provides Health Update on Guard Labaron Philon After Vanderbilt Loss

The Alabama Crimson Tide fell by six points to the Vanderbilt Commodores, with superstar guard Labaron Philon notably absent for most of the contest. Philon is in his second year from Mobile, Alabama, and is the key contributor for the Crimson Tide's offensive production.

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He played 19 minutes, scoring 18 points on 5-9 shooting from the floor, 2-5 shooting from range, and 6-7 from the free throw line. Philon also contributed one rebound and an assist in the Tide's loss.

15 of his 18 points came in the first half, when Alabama erased a 13-point deficit to tie the game at halftime. After just four minutes played in the second half, Philon subbed out and was not spotted on the Crimson Tide's bench until the game was already out of hand with two minutes remaining in the contest. After the game, Alabama head coach Nate Oats provided an update on the superstar sophomore, saying he had full-body cramps.

"I don't know," Oats said, seemingly annoyed at the situation. "Played 19 minutes. Had to go back and get an IV. Couldn't play. I don't know why he's getting full-body cramps with only playing 19 minutes, but that's what he had going."

The ESPN broadcast of the game noted Philon's return to the bench late in the game, saying that he was flexing both of his knees. Alabama will need its star back when the Crimson Tide takes on Texas on Saturday, January 10.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.