Labaron Philon, Bryce Fowler Headline Crimson Tide Athletes of the Week

Recognizing the Crimson Tide athletes who dominated this week from Tuscaloosa to the pros.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:50pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of crimson, navy, and gold, representing the dynamic action and energy of Alabama's top athletes across multiple sports.Alabama's athletic excellence is on full display, with star players shining in both basketball and baseball.Tuscaloosa Today

Alabama basketball's Labaron Philon and baseball's Bryce Fowler were named the Crimson Tide Athletes of the Week after standout performances. Philon scored 35 points in Alabama's Sweet 16 loss to Michigan, while Fowler hit a walk-off double to secure a series victory over Auburn. Other award winners included baseball's Myles Upchurch as Freshman of the Week and former Tide star Jaden Shackelford as the Pro Athlete of the Week.

Why it matters

This recognition highlights the continued excellence of Alabama's athletic programs, with star players emerging in both basketball and baseball. Philon's performance in the NCAA Tournament showcased his NBA-level talent, while Fowler's clutch hitting helped Alabama baseball secure a crucial series win over a ranked conference rival. The Crimson Tide's depth of talent across sports is a point of pride for the university and its fans.

The details

Labaron Philon, a sophomore guard, scored 35 points in Alabama's Sweet 16 loss to Michigan, tying for the second-highest individual scoring performance in Crimson Tide NCAA Tournament history. Philon shot 10-for-21 from the field and added 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the game. His standout season has likely earned him a spot in the upcoming NBA Draft. In baseball, freshman pitcher Myles Upchurch bounced back from a rough outing the previous week to go a career-high 4.1 innings, allowing just 1 run in a win over Auburn that helped the Crimson Tide complete a series sweep of their in-state rivals. Center fielder Bryce Fowler also came up clutch, hitting a walk-off double on Saturday to secure the series victory. Meanwhile, former Alabama star Jaden Shackelford scored a career-high 54 points for the G-League's Valley Suns, becoming the team's all-time leading scorer.

  • On March 27, 2026, Labaron Philon scored 35 points in Alabama's Sweet 16 loss to Michigan.
  • On March 27, 2026, Myles Upchurch went a career-high 4.1 innings, allowing 1 run, in a win over Auburn.
  • On March 26, 2026, Jaden Shackelford scored a career-high 54 points for the G-League's Valley Suns.

The players

Labaron Philon

A sophomore guard for the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team who scored 35 points in the team's Sweet 16 loss to Michigan, tying for the second-highest individual scoring performance in Alabama NCAA Tournament history.

Myles Upchurch

A freshman pitcher for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team who bounced back from a rough outing the previous week to go a career-high 4.1 innings, allowing just 1 run, in a win over Auburn that helped the Crimson Tide complete a series sweep.

Bryce Fowler

The center fielder for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team who hit a walk-off double on Saturday to secure a series victory over Auburn.

Jaden Shackelford

A former Alabama basketball player who is now playing in the G-League, where he scored a career-high 54 points last week and became the Valley Suns' all-time leading scorer.

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What they’re saying

“That guy's going to be a superstar. Everything that's happening to him through these first three games of SEC play are going to toughen him and harden him and make him better both for this year and for his sophomore year.”

— Rob Vaughn

The takeaway

Alabama's athletic programs continue to produce elite talent across multiple sports, with standout performances from both basketball and baseball players this week. The Crimson Tide's depth of talent is a testament to the strength of the university's sports programs and the development of its student-athletes.