A major college basketball transfer decision has officially been made, as a talented Auburn forward has revealed where he will continue his career next season. After emerging as an important contributor for Auburn during its postseason run, the versatile standout has now chosen a new destination that keeps him in familiar conference territory while offering a fresh opportunity on a rising national stage. The move comes after weeks of transfer portal speculation and immediately adds intrigue to one of the SEC’s most talked-about programs heading into the new campaign.
The Auburn standout announced on Sunday that he has committed to Texas. He will now trade one orange jersey for another, joining a Longhorns squad coming off an impressive NCAA Tournament performance.
Elyjah Freeman’s transfer follows a productive lone season on the Plains, where he averaged 9.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 38 appearances. Freeman earned 21 starts during the season and steadily developed into one of Auburn’s most reliable two-way players.
Before arriving at Auburn, Freeman made the jump from Division II basketball and quickly proved he could compete at the highest collegiate level. His rise became especially noticeable during Auburn’s championship-winning run in the NIT, where he played a vital role in some of the team’s biggest moments.
In the second-round victory over Seattle and the quarterfinal win against Nevada, Freeman logged all 40 minutes in both contests. Across those two games, he combined for 34 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, showcasing both stamina and impact when Auburn needed him most.
Even in games where his scoring numbers dipped, Freeman remained valuable through hustle plays and rebounding. He grabbed 10 rebounds in Auburn’s first-round postseason win over South Alabama, further highlighting the energy and effort he consistently brought to the floor.
His departure surprised many around the program because shortly after Auburn’s 92-86 overtime win over Tulsa in the NIT title game, Freeman had publicly suggested he was fully committed to returning. However, just days later, he entered the transfer portal and began exploring new options.
Auburn assistant Steven Pearl had openly expressed hope that Freeman would stay for another season.
“I would love for him to be here next year because he’s going to be a really good player,” Pearl said. “I’m just proud of him for continuing to step up and show what he’s capable of.”
Now, Freeman heads to Texas, where expectations will again be high. The Longhorns are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance, where their season ended in a narrow 79-77 loss to No. 2 seed Purdue. With Freeman now added to the roster, Texas gains an experienced SEC-tested forward capable of making an immediate impact on both ends of the court.
