Change is coming fast on the Plains. With departures stacking up and the frontcourt suddenly thin, Auburn’s offseason has shifted into urgency mode. Graduation and portal exits have forced Steven Pearl into the market searching for an instant-impact forward — not a long-term project, but a ready-made piece who can help immediately. And just days into the portal window, a familiar five-star name has emerged as a potential solution. Auburn isn’t hesitating either. Early momentum, early interest, and early buzz suggest the Tigers are trying to get out in front before the market explodes.
With KeShawn Murphy graduating and Filip Jovic transferring to UCLA, Auburn is aggressively hunting for a forward who can make an immediate impact during the 2026–27 season. That pursuit may have led Steven Pearl to Dwayne Aristode.
According to On3, Auburn has made an early push for the 6-foot-8 Dutch forward, who entered the transfer portal with a do-not-contact tag. Sources indicate the Tigers have quickly emerged as the early school to watch as Pearl works to reshape his roster following an NIT championship run.
As a freshman at Arizona, Aristode averaged 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in just over 13 minutes per game. His best outing came against Northern Arizona, when he exploded for 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He also saw action in Arizona’s Final Four loss to eventual national champion Michigan, scoring three points in 10 minutes.
A former composite five-star recruit and the No. 7 small forward in the 2025 class, Aristode would join a returning Auburn core that includes Tahaad Pettiford, Kevin Overton, and Sebastian Williams-Adams, along with incoming 7-footer Narcisse Ngoy. Auburn is also hoping Elyjah Freeman opts to stay.
Pearl’s first season featured ups and downs, including a 7–11 SEC record and a missed NCAA Tournament, but the Tigers closed strong by capturing the NIT title with an overtime win over Tulsa.