Reigning Mr. Basketball Labaron Philon announced on social media late Saturday night that he would play his final year at Link Academy in Branson, Mo.

The former Auburn commit averaged 35 points, six rebounds and four assists per game for Baker High (Ala.) this past season and finished the season with 1,075 points.

The 6-foot-4 combo guard has scored 2,334 points during his high school career.

“We are very proud of Labaron and all his accomplishments,” Baker coach David Armstrong said. “We are happy with everything he has done for Baker. He is a program-changing type player, and we are excited to have been a part of his journey for the last three years. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward.

“I think moving to Link will be good for him if he puts in the work, and I know he will. Labaron will forever be a Baker Hornet. It’s been an absolute pleasure to coach the kid. I don’t know if I’ll ever coach a better player. He is absolutely special.”

He decommitted from Auburn in April and remains uncommitted.

Philon originally committed to Bruce Pearl and Auburn over Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kansas and Tennessee. His other offers include Cincinnati, Houston, Kansas, Louisville, LSU and Penn State.

“I can’t wait to see what he does out there,” Armstrong said. “I’ll probably watch every game. I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve gotten to coach him, and I will always be grateful for what he’s brought to Baker basketball. He’s enriched my career, and I hope I’ve done something to help him along the way as well.”

Philon is rated the No. 1 senior in Alabama and No. 26 overall recruit in the nation, according to the 247 composite rankings. It is the second time in two years and top Alabama player has transferred to Link. Cade Phillips left Jacksonville for Link prior to the 2022-2023 season.

“He’s a top 20 player in the country,” UMS-Wright head coach Michael Napp said recently of Philon. “He is just so dynamic with the ball. He can get any shot, any time when he wants it. He can knock down so many shots from so many different places. He’s an elite ball handler.”

Philon leaves Baker after winning the last two Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 7A Player of the Year Awards. Philon told 247 sports recently that he wanted to visit Kansas, Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Houston.

He said he decommitted from Auburn due to a change on the staff (assistant coach Wes Flanigan left for Ole Miss) along with roster changes. But he told 247 sports “they’ve cleaned everything up.”

Armstrong said his team — even without Philon — shouldn’t be counted out of the Class 7A playoff race.

“I think our guys will respond,” he said. “Baker basketball isn’t going anywhere. We are going to be a team people don’t want to play when it comes to big games. I promise you that. I can’t wait to get back in the gym on Monday and keep working.”