17-05-2025
Bruce Pearl talks Tahaad Pettiford's NBA future, Auburn's push for transfer portal big man
Bruce Pearl talks Tahaad Pettiford's NBA future, Auburn's push for transfer portal big man Pearl addressed the two storylines that are occupying Auburn fans' minds currently during a fundraising event this week.
Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl recently provided an update on two key storylines that have raised concern across the Auburn fanbase.
Pearl spoke with the media during the Jimmy Rane Foundation's annual fundraiser banquet this week, where he updated the status of Auburn's "big man" pursuit and Tahaad Pettiford's status for the NBA draft. Auburn added JUCO center Emeka Opurum this offseason, and could use Mississippi State transfer Keshawn Murphy as a center if needed. However, Pearl feels that adding one more player, especially in that role, will round out his roster for next season. He says that he feels that he is close to landing his "big man."
"I'm confident that we're going to have one more good big," Pearl said (via Auburn Undercover). "We think we've got an opportunity.'
Auburn has hosted several key names, most recently Louisville transfer James Scott. However, Scott ultimately chose Ole Miss, leaving Auburn to go back to the drawing board. Most of the transfer portal centers have found new homes, but players such as Queens center Malcolm Wilson and Lafayette center Justin Vander Baan remain uncommitted. North Carolina's Ven-Allen Lubin and Northern Colorado's Isaiah Hawthorne also remain in the portal should Pearl elect to go the forward route to fill its needs.
The other major headline that Pearl discussed was the limbo of Tahaad Pettiford's status. Pettiford turned heads at the NBA draft combine this week, most notably when he scored 23 points and posted eight assists during the scrimmage portion of the event. Pettiford has stated that he will return to Auburn if his evaluation does not turn first round results, and Pearl says that he is working on a plan to fill Pettiford's shoes should he depart the Plains after one season. Pearl says that fans can bet on Pettiford having a larger role in the starting rotation if he returns.
"If he decides to come back to Auburn, we'll be a lot better team," Pearl said. "If he came back, there would be more on him. And I think he's looking forward to that possibility — that I'm going to ask him to do a little bit more, so he can show out a little bit more."
Auburn competed in the second Final Four in program history last season and will look to return for the third time in the Pearl era this season. However, a challenge will be present as Pearl looks to replace his entire starting five, as well as the possibility of replacing Pettiford, a vital bench player for the Tigers. The picture will become clearer once Auburn lands its final transfer portal piece and Pettiford makes his decision regarding his future.
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