Montverde Academy boys basketball had a complete makeover of its squad this year, and Joe Philon III is leading the way for the Eagles. Philon is the No. 46 ranked player in the 2026 class, and that even seems low, considering how translatable his game is to the next level, and even the NBA. A 3-and-D wing, Philon can stretch the floor and get to his spots when he pleases, while also being able to jump out of the gym. Here’s what first year Montverde head coach, and high school basketball coaching legend Steve Turner had to say about the senior.
“Joe can do everything. He’s the kind of kid that I think every team in the country needs,” Turner said. “He can win games on the defensive end, and he can carve you up by driving to the rim. His shot is really starting to come too. I think sky’s the limit for the kid. For a kid who didn’t play on the main circuit, he’s a top 40 kid in the country, and it’s because of the little things that he does that they don’t always shine on it.”
Philon recorded 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting in 18 minutes in Montverde’s big time 71-58 victory over LuHi, and The Student spoke with Philon after the win to talk about his time with Montverde this season.
The Student: How’d you like the way you guys played today?
Philon: We played as a team. Defensively, we didn’t allow our teammates to fail, and we were able to capitalize on all those loose balls that we got. I feel like we played well. Got up and down fast, got stops when we needed to. We finished out the game strong.
The Student: How’ve you and your teammates gelled together so far?
Philon: We’ve come wonders away. We didn’t have the great start we hoped for, but none of us were down, or had a negative game mentality. We worked our way up, started stacking some wins, and now everything’s gelling like a great team. Defensively we’ve come along crazy. We’re rotating, we’re flying around, getting stops, getting rebounds. That’s been the message and just what we’ve been feeding into, what coach has been telling us to do, what coach has been instructed for us as a smaller team, and I feel like we’ve been following his game plan.
The Student: Speaking of Coach Turner, How’s he helped you as a player?
Philon: This year was my first time meeting Coach Turner. I never knew him before. I obviously heard about him, but just to be able to learn from him, the people he’s surrounded us with, they all know the game, they’re teaching us every day in practice, helping build our understanding. I feel like that’s honestly been the biggest part of my improvement, just learning the game from all his staff and even other players. He brought in students of the game, all people that can push me in practice will hold me accountable.
The Student: If there’s anything you could improve on to become a college basketball star, what would it be?
Philon: My jump shot definitely. I need to be more consistent and hit on a higher rate. They’ve definitely been working with me from the start of the season, and you can see the improvement from the start of the season. Also I got to get stronger as well, which they’ve also been working with me on. I was in the hotel today before the game, got a little lift in — nothing crazy, but just get a little pump going. I have to make sureI’m not losing any weight. Being a guy with a higher metabolism, I just need all the hands feeding into me. The staff has just guided me in the right direction.
The Student: I can tell your father is a big supporter of yours. How has your relationship with him grown throughout the years
Philon: He really has every perspective of the game. He’s able to teach me and keep me in check at times. It’s been great having him growing up, as somebody who’s gonna keep me accountable. I mean, on my first few AAU teams, I didn’t sniff the court. He pushed me to get better every year, pushing me to fight and give me the drive I have now, coming into a big school like this, I know I already know how to fight for my position. I already know how to work my way up the rotations.
The Student: Have you ever played backyard basketball with your cousin, [Alabama guard] Labaron [Philon]?
Philon: Nah, I haven’t had the chance to make it up to Alabama yet, but I’ve chopped it up a bit with him over text for sure.