No regrets for Aden Holloway, Labaron Philon after choosing Alabama basketball over Auburn

Posted by author February 13, 2025 Basketball

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Alabama basketball players Aden Holloway and Labaron Philon recently discussed their experiences as freshmen on the “New Wave” podcast.
Philon, a former Mr. Basketball in Alabama, highlighted the team’s emphasis on a “blue-collar” mentality under coach Nate Oats.
Holloway, a transfer from Auburn, expressed his enjoyment playing in Coleman Coliseum and the satisfaction of making three-point shots.

Tuscaloosa is home for Alabama basketball‘s Aden Holloway and Labaron Philon.

The two are preparing for a historic Iron Bowl showdown with the No. 1 Crimson Tide, but this time last year Holloway was a freshman at Auburn while Philon was getting ready to announce his commitment to Bruce Pearl and the Tigers, currently ranked second in the nation.

In a recent “New Wave” podcast appearance opposite Alabama football players Ryan Williams and Jaylen Mbakwe, the two Crimson Tide basketball stars recalled their experiences getting settled in on campus.

Sitting side by side in the grayscale studio backlit by a neon script-A were Holloway, Williams and Philon − the state of Alabama’s 2023 Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball, respectively − and Mbakwe.

Williams started that conversation by asking what their first year at Alabama has been like. As expected for a group of four college kids shooting the breeze, the chat took some turns.

Philon, who’s averaging 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists his rookie season, reflected on his favorite memories so far in Tuscaloosa. Being the only three-time SEC Freshman of the Week didn’t come up, but Mbakwe’s birthday on Sept. 28, which was also the day of football’s 41-34 win over Georgia, did.

Before the story could even begin, Williams gripped the fellow freshman’s knees with Mbakwe and stopped Philon from sharing any further details.

“Labaron is cancelled from talking,” Williams quipped.

An acceptable topic of conversation was what it was like learning the blue collar mentality that coach Nate Oats enforces on Alabama basketball.

“You don’t want to mess with coach’s blue-collar stuff,” Philon laughed. He said he “didn’t know what it was” until coaches and veterans broke down what blue-collar points meant.

Holloway, who has yet to win an Alabama basketball hard hat this season, doubled down.

“You’ll get taken out,” Holloway said. “Fast.”

No regrets about picking Alabama basketball

For shooters like Holloway, while the effort plays are rewarding, nothing beats the feeling of hearing Coleman Coliseum boom when he sinks a three.

Throwing his leg and three fingers in the air, Williams − a self-proclaimed Alabama basketball “fan girl” − said, “I know I’ll be screaming.”

Holloway said he can “feel it” as the ball is traveling in the air to the rim, mimicking the rock making its way to the basket in slow motion.

“Until it drops … you can feel it in your whole body,” Holloway said.

Holloway couldn’t quite find the word for exactly what the “it” he described was. Confidence would be a fitting one, though.

Philon’s decision not to sign with the Tigers was explicit, citing the departure of former assistant coach Wes Flanigan to Ole Miss. Holloway’s choice to transfer from Auburn was a little more nuanced, but it wasn’t hard for folks who watched the 2023-24 college basketball season to figure out why.

Sure, Alabama offered a more secure chance to be a starter in the future with All-American Mark Sears on his last year of eligibility, but the stat book doesn’t lie. Holloway shot 31.8% at Auburn and is shooting 48.5% with Alabama today.

On the other hand, the biggest lesson Holloway has learned through the trials and tribulations wasn’t hard to put a finger on.

“If you’ve got love for it, it’s going to take you where you want it to take you,” Holloway said.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for the Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.