Auburn basketball is currently in Greece for a two-game international exhibition tour, marking the Tigers’ first foreign trip since the summer of 2022. The trip gives Steven Pearl’s team an opportunity to gain valuable on-court experience against international competition while continuing preparations for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
The Tigers are scheduled to take on Serbian professional club KK Mega Basket on August 8 and August 9 at Chanioti Ano Mera Indoor Hall in Mykonos. The two-game matchup should provide Auburn with a meaningful test as Pearl enters his second season at the helm. Facing a professional team from Serbia should also give the Tigers a different style of competition than they typically encounter during the college basketball season.
However, Auburn will be working with a significantly limited roster for both exhibition games. According to Auburn basketball reporter Justin Ferguson, four players are expected to sit out the matchups. Mantas Rubštavičius and Narcisse Ngoy will remain sidelined while they wait for NCAA eligibility clearance for the 2026-27 season. Meanwhile, Creighton transfer Owen Freeman and former Eastern Kentucky and Vanderbilt guard George Kimble III will also miss the games while recovering from foot and hand injuries, respectively.
Rubštavičius and Ngoy are particularly notable absences because both players could play major roles for Auburn once the regular season begins. Rubštavičius arrives with considerable international experience after playing in Lithuania and competing in the EuroLeague, giving the Tigers another player with experience at a high level of professional basketball.
Ngoy is another intriguing addition to Auburn’s roster. The French big man was unexpectedly selected in the latter portion of the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft. His draft rights were subsequently traded by the Hawks to the Los Angeles Clippers, but Ngoy ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to Auburn for the 2026-27 season. Rather than immediately pursuing a professional career, he elected to continue developing his game with the Tigers.
With both Rubštavičius and Ngoy unavailable, along with Freeman and Kimble dealing with injuries, Auburn will have fewer options to work with during the two-game trip. The limited roster could force Pearl to rely heavily on his available players and potentially give some younger or less experienced Tigers an extended opportunity to make an impression.
The international trip nevertheless represents an important part of Auburn’s preparation. The Tigers will get a chance to build chemistry, adjust to different competition and evaluate their roster before the games begin to count. The experience could prove especially valuable as Pearl looks to build on his first season and establish Auburn as a consistent contender.
Fans hoping to watch the Tigers’ games from home, however, will have to wait for updates rather than tune into a live broadcast. According to Auburn basketball’s official website, neither of the team’s two exhibition games against KK Mega Basket will be available to stream.