CAMDEN, N.J. -- Young Philadelphia 76ers rookie Labaron Philon Jr. is continuing to grow in his maiden season in the league. He has gone through his first grueling training camp before getting some preseason minutes and getting a taste of what the NBA is like.
After a terrific season at Alabama as a sophomore, Philon was the No. 22 pick of the draft by the Sixers and is looking to showcase his skills and make a case for real rotation minutes for the future. He has put in a lot of work in practice and has earned the respect of his teammates.
2-time champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been around the block and he's been impressed with what he's seen from the rookie.
"His work ethic is great," said Caldwell-Pope. "I'm on the second team with him.
He's a great listener. He's been listening and buying into everything on the court, in the film, anything that I see, any vet that's talking to him, he listens. He's a workaholic. He's in the gym and getting his shots up."
It will be tough for Philon to earn any real minutes on this team currently. The Sixers are a veteran team and have a logjam at the guard spot with Tyrese Maxey and Anfernee Simons handling the point guard spot while VJ Edgecombe will take on some ball-handling responsibilities, but Philon is certainly going to be ready for anything should his number be called.
That's the biggest piece of advice Caldwell-Pope has for him.
"Just be patient, keep working hard," KCP finished. "Just keep learning and showing up in practice. and when your number is called, be ready."
The Sixers will finish the preseason on Friday against the Boston Celtics before opening the regular season on Oct. 20 against the New York Knicks.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gives thoughts on Labaron Philon Jr.
