Locked On Jayhawks - Daily Podcast On Kansas Jayhawks Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Kansas Jayhawks Basketball Adds Commit From 2024 4-Star Guard Labaron Philon

Starting point is 00:00:00 On this bonus Locked on Jayhawks, Kansas basketball has a new commit for the class of 2024, LeBron Phylon. I wish it's pronounced LeBron. I don't know if it is, but I hope it is. All that, breaking down the commitment, what it means for KU next year, what it means for recruiting the rest of the way going forward on this bonus episode of Locked on Jayhawks. You are Locked on Jayhawks, your daily podcast on the Kansas Jayhawks,

Starting point is 00:00:27 part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. I'm Derek Johnson. You can hear me as well, Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. on KLWN and Lawrence with Rock Chalk Sports Talk. Thanks for making Locked on Jayhawks your first listen every day. We're free and available wherever you get any of your podcasts.

Starting point is 00:00:55 You can find us with our YouTube page, or you can like and subscribe to the show as well. So we'll be back to KU football takeaways on tomorrow's show. Nick Schwartz is going to join us. We still have the KU basketball small forward preview, KU Texas preview coming later this week. This is a bonus episode of the show because some news tonight as LeBron Phylon, I don't know if it's LeBron or I don't know if it's LeBron,

Starting point is 00:01:15 or which I'm hoping it is, which is like just kind of condense version of it, has committed to the University of Kansas. This is a very big deal because this is a big player. So depending where you look, he is 6'2 to 6'4, depending on the different sites. I'm just going to go with around 6'3, and then we can kind of pick nits from there. About 175, 180 pounds.

Starting point is 00:01:38 He's originally from Mobile, Alabama, but last year I believe he was up in Branson, Missouri, and I believe he'll be in Branson, Missouri again this year for his high school level. And I believe he put up like 35 points per game last year at the high school level. Very good scoring guard. He is ranked number 27 in the country in the 24-7 sports rankings,

Starting point is 00:01:58 number 31 in the country with on three, number 35 in the country on ESPN, number 38 in the country on arrivals. So pretty much anywhere you look, top 40 recruit. That would put him right in the range of possibly being a McDonald's All-American. Just depends how, I guess, the season goes. It puts him right on the edge of being like a four-star, just missing out on being a five-star recruit. I believe it was Jeremy Case who was the main recruiter here for KU.

Starting point is 00:02:22 He seems to continue to do a good job on the recruiting trail. He was at one point committed to Auburn, was Phylon. I do wonder, you know, it could just be that KU was like, hey, good player. Let's, you know, he maybe has some interest in Kansas, visited us. Let's see if we can get him. I do wonder if KU tightened the screws or put on a harder full court press after the Artario Morris news popped out to where maybe they thought going into this year, realistically only one of Artario Morris or El Marco Jackson, maybe only one of them will play well enough

Starting point is 00:02:55 or play the bigger role enough to go pro after this year and we'll have back one of Morris or Jackson. But now with the Morris news, maybe that not only means Artario Morris might no longer be on the team. Obviously right now he's just suspended. Who knows what's going to happen there. Morris or Jackson, but now with the Morris news, maybe that not only means that Terry Morris might no longer be on the team. Obviously right now he's just suspended. Who knows what's going to happen there? But also it means maybe a bigger role for a Marco Jackson.

Starting point is 00:03:13 Maybe that increases the chances. He's a one and done. And that increases the chances that you're looking for more guards to play along. DeJuan Harris obviously would have another year after this year with, you know, the back court and have another player to go to. Well, Phylon then becomes the answer. It could be that. It could also just be that, hey, guess what?

Starting point is 00:03:29 He's a really good player and happened to have some interest in Kansas and boom, things work together. I don't know. But either way, you're happy with the commitment for KU. Here's his scouting report written with on three. He's quick. He's a lead guard. He has long arms and a projectable frame with wide shoulders, quick handle that him into the paint he can knock down a jump shot with three-point range and

Starting point is 00:03:48 consistency there is a confidence and competitiveness with him he does need to have strength at strength uh there's upside on the defensive end he moves his feet well guarding the ball he's quick to get in the passing lanes and there's a natural smoothness with an upside to continue to get better like i said he put up like 35 points per game, which this to me feels like the Bill Self specialty. How many years did we see Bill Self have a 6'2", 6'3", 6'4", guard who was kind of a combo guard that could score the basketball? Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson, Devontae Graham. I guess Frank Mason, he was a little bit shorter at under six

Starting point is 00:04:25 feet tall but having these combo guard mario chalmers right yeah they've had so many great combo guards with bill self and this kid feels like he falls right into that ilk of the perfect player for a bill self system um so as far as you know what his fit i guess will be well um in terms of the jump shot that might be one thing you're wondering I think I saw he was only 25% in Nike UIBL but it was 33% at the high school level I was at a junior in high school so now he'll be a senior in high school what if he gets it up to 37 38% then you're going to feel great about the shooting there obviously something that you expect to continue to grow but certainly a good scoring guard so far let's talk more about this what this means his future impact when he

Starting point is 00:05:04 arrives on campus in 2024-25 what it means for recruiting for KU for this next class and moving forward. First though, this episode of the show is brought to you by Athletic Brewing Company. Your game changer of the week is brought to you by Athletic Brewing Company, who has completely changed the non-alcoholic beer game. They make non-alcoholic beers that actually taste good. I guess it's similar to Bill Self bringing in Phylon here. This is changing the game for KU in the future. That's what Athletic Brewing Company is doing in the future and right now. Their brews are great tasting and award-winning and beat out full-strength beers in global competitions. They brew over 50 styles of craft non-alcoholic beer, including IPAs, Goldens, Sours, and more. You can find out more about Athletic Brewing Company's non-alcoholic brews

Starting point is 00:05:48 at a store near you or buy online at athleticbrewing.com. First-time customers can use code LOCKEDON to get 15% off your first order online. That's code LOCKEDON, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N, at checkout for 15% off at athleticbrewing.com. Near beer, exclusions and conditions apply. Athletic Brewing Company, fit for all times. So what does this mean for KU in the future? Well, obviously, Phylon, class of 2024, he would join for next season's team. You fast forward to next year.

Starting point is 00:06:18 You look at the guard position specifically. Well, DeJuan Harris is going to have another year after this year if he wants it. And I believe the indication by DeJuan and KU is they're under the guise that he is going to take that. You know, he'll make a good amount of NIL money. He's not popping up on draft boards or anything like that. Right. It makes sense in a lot of different ways. I guess you hold your breath.

Starting point is 00:06:37 What if DeJuan is an All-American this year? And, you know, there is possibility to be drafted in the second round. He goes, realistically, I think it's most likely to want his back though. But then you're trying to figure out the roster around him. Well, a Marco Jackson could be a one and done after this year, or he could be back for year two. I don't totally know. Now the arterial more stuff.

Starting point is 00:06:56 That's a different discussion. Could he be here this year? Could he be here hypothetically for next year? I guess it's possible. I think it's unlikely. I think it's most likely arterial Morris will not be a part of this. So then that leaves you with, at the guard position, I guess Johnny Furphy could be back for his sophomore year.

Starting point is 00:07:12 Kevin McCuller will have graduated by that point. But Furphy, maybe he's more of like a three or four man. Nick Timberlake obviously will have graduated. The only other guard you have then is Jamari McDowell, who I think the intention maybe a few weeks ago was for him to redshirt. But after the Arterio Morris news, I'd be kind of surprised if you redshirted at that point. So you're looking at a sophomore Jamari McDowell at that point. And from there, you're basically looking at it as this.

Starting point is 00:07:37 If Elmarco Jackson's back for year two after this one with DeJuan Harris back for a sixth year, your starting backcourt would probably be Harris and Marco Jackson, and then Phylon would take over the kind of third guard role, or at least it would be a competition between him and McDowell. That said, McDowell could also play not just at the, you know, like Phylon could play back up one minute, he could play back up two minutes. McDowell could play back up two minutes and or back up three minutes. So like both could actually play as backups in this given scenario. But if Marco Jackson goes pro at the end of this year, maybe you would go into next year saying, yeah, whoever

Starting point is 00:08:08 wins between Filon and McDowell is your starting two man. Then again, you also don't know what's going to happen with the transfer portal and more recruiting. But either way, this gives you more coverage for next season and the future, because then, you know, there is a chance Filon could be a one and done. But what if we fast forward to 2025? You know, not just this year, not next year, the year after that. DeJuan Harris will be gone at that point. I think you would assume by then Elmarco Jackson would definitely be gone because that would be two years, whether he's a one and done or a two and done. And if Filon is back for his sophomore year, then at that point,

Starting point is 00:08:38 he could be your sophomore leader in the backcourt and maybe be viewed as a guy to have a Devon Dotson type season where he takes the jump from being an impactful freshman to being an All-American level sophomore, right? So I think Bright Future and Phylon is exactly the type of player that has done very well in the Bill Self system in the past. Let's continue on with what this means and what's next in recruiting for KU basketball. First, though, this episode of the show is brought to you by LinkedIn Jobs. These days, every new potential hire can feel like a high stakes wager for your small business.

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Starting point is 00:09:42 quality hires versus leading competitors. LinkedIn jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com slash locked on college. That's linkedin.com slash locked on college. Post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. So what's next in recruiting for KU? Because they're not done. You got Flory.

Starting point is 00:10:01 I've been hearing it pronounced Badunga lately. It might be Badunga. That will sh been hearing it pronounced badunga lately um it might be badunga that will shatter my dreams of badunga dunk hashtag badunga dunk or i guess you could still go with flory flush but um just not the same man but either way uh you have him and phylon i mean this is making of already if those are your two lead guys that's already a great class right uh but they're still going hard after other people. Cooper Flagg, number one recruiting in the game. They're going hard after him. You got the Liam McNeely kid, who's kind of a power forward. They're going after a lot of these top tier recruits, and they are far from being done in

Starting point is 00:10:34 this recruiting class. I would not be shocked if they do end up landing another top 20, another McDonald's All-American type of recruit, just because of how hard they're pressing in a lot of these different areas. This could be an unreal recruiting class. This could be one of those recruiting classes we look back on similar to the Wiggins and Bede one where it wasn't just, hey, you have Wiggins and Bede, the future NBA guys, which could happen guys like Flory. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Flory ends up staying for a couple of years at Kansas. That's a conversation for a later date. But maybe you even have some of your guys like your Frank Masons who impact the program long-term. Like I said, what if Phylon's here a couple years for Kansas

Starting point is 00:11:08 because he's behind Del Marco and DeJuan in year one and has to stay for year two? That he could have a long-term impact in addition to the short-term impact. And ideally, with this class, unlike when you brought in Wiggins and Embiid, where it's like they were brought in immediately and they had to be the guys, well, guess what? Everybody you're bringing in in this class, you're going to have a potentially sixth year DeJuan Harris.

Starting point is 00:11:28 That's going to pair with them with a what third or fourth year KJ Adams to pair with them too. And who knows you might have a hundred Dickinson back another year, right? So it's different than that and that you wouldn't be having to count on freshmen as much, but you would still have that unbelievable talent. I almost think that next year's Kansas team, the way this is shaping up with guys you could have coming back in this

Starting point is 00:11:46 recruiting class coming in next year's Kansas team might be one of the dominant Kansas teams, but, you know, focus on what's in front of you. I guess. I think it's clear to me KU is recruiting like their pre NCAA, you know, issues cloud over their head stuff again, that they, they still even with the NCAA stuff, we're able to recruit a top tier four stars and some five stars in there like Bryce Thompson and Quentin Grimes and some of those,

Starting point is 00:12:12 but you weren't as often seeing them bring in as many of those guys and as many of the top five or top three recruits in the country as maybe they're going to be in store of, of being able to do this year. All right. That's going to do it for this bonus episode of Locked on Jayhawks. Find us wherever you get any of your podcasts. You can hit me up on Twitter if you have any questions, at DJohnsonRadio, and give us a like and subscribe on our YouTube page

Starting point is 00:12:34 with Locked on Jayhawks. See you next time.

Locked On Jayhawks - Daily Podcast On Kansas Jayhawks Football & Basketball - BREAKING: Kansas Jayhawks Basketball Adds Commit From 2024 4-Star Guard Labaron Philon

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