Sixers rookie Labaron Philon Jr. takes on Philly fans in ‘NBA 2K27′ outside of Geno’s
Philon spent four hours in a truck to beat 100 fans in the video game on Tuesday, one of his first opportunities to get out in the community since the Sixers drafted him in June.
As a kid, Labaron Philon Jr. mostly played with Steph Curry and the Warriors, or the Wizards, with John Wall and Bradley Beal, on NBA 2K’s video games.
But on Tuesday, he was all Sixers, taking on the challenge of beating 100 fans at NBA 2K27, while stuck in a truck outside Geno’s Steaks.
“I was kind of good back then, but I’m better now,” Philon said of his 2K prowess.
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So, did he have any trouble beating the fans in the truck?
“Haven’t lost yet,” he said.
Only a few of the fans were competitive. Philon took on everyone from seasoned veterans to a seven-year-old in a Jaylen Brown jersey. But it takes time to beat 100 fans. Philon spent over four hours in the truck.
It was one of Philon’s first opportunities to get out in the community and meet fans since the Sixers selected him at No. 22 overall in June’s NBA draft. He has spent time at the Sixers’ facility this summer, but he’s finally getting out and seeing more of the city as the season nears.
“It’s been good just to see all the things happen, but even before that, me being drafted to a team that I feel like is a really good contender, and then just adding on all the other stuff that’s been coming with it, I feel like it was meant to happen, really,” Philon said. “I’m blessed that I’m in the situation that I am, to play with one of the best teams probably in the NBA right now.”
He hasn’t matched up against any of his new teammates in 2K yet, but it was a “surreal” moment to see himself in the game for the first time when he fired it up on Monday to practice.
Ahead of his rookie season, Philon earned a 71 overall, with his highest skill score an 82 for playmaking. NBA 2K27 releases globally on Friday.
“Most people don’t feel like it’s fair, but I feel like it’s fair,” Philon said. “Just because you’re a rookie. You’ve got to climb your way up. I think it should be like that.”
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