Steven Pearl and the Auburn Tigers have spent much of August overseas in Greece, but their roster-building efforts have continued behind the scenes. The transfer portal work has not slowed down, and Auburn picked up another addition on Friday with former Utah State guard committing to the program.
King arrives as a valuable depth piece for the Tigers, bringing experience and a proven track record from multiple stops in college basketball. The 6-foot-1 senior guard played 127 career games and has averaged 18.8 minutes per contest throughout his career. While he has never been a star-level scorer, he has shown he can provide reliable minutes off the bench.
His best offensive season came during his time at Tulane in 2023, when he averaged 10.4 points per game. However, his role became smaller during stops at Butler and Utah State. Last season, King was part of a Utah State squad that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, giving him valuable postseason experience.
For an Auburn team looking to bounce back after a disappointing season, this is not the type of move that will completely transform the roster. King is unlikely to be viewed as a program-changing addition, but he fills an important need by adding veteran depth and stability to a roster that has undergone significant changes.
Kolby King’s eligibility situation creates questions
Much of the discussion surrounding King has focused less on his production and more on his eligibility status.
King was one of 15 athletes involved in a July lawsuit challenging the NCAA’s updated age-based five-year eligibility rule. Following a judge’s decision to grant an injunction, athletes from the 2022 recruiting class were allowed to compete during the upcoming season.
The situation highlights the increasingly complicated nature of college athletics, where court rulings, eligibility battles, NIL regulations, and transfer decisions have become major factors in roster construction. Fans now often have to follow legal developments just to understand whether key players will be available.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the process, the outcome is a positive one for Auburn. King gives the Tigers another experienced piece and adds depth to a roster that is still taking shape under Pearl’s leadership. While he may not be a headline-grabbing acquisition, his veteran presence could prove valuable throughout the season.