Auburn basketball put everything on the line but ultimately came up short in the Final Four, capping off what was a historic 2024–25 campaign. Looking ahead, the team must now replace key players like Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell, Miles Kelly, and Denver Jones—all of whom are out of eligibility. Tahaad Pettiford could also be gone if the NBA offers a better financial package than Auburn, and veteran star has already entered the transfer portal.
John Longshore and Barry McKnight of Yellowhammer News pointed out that “the unpredictability of the transfer portal and NIL deals casts uncertainty over next season,” especially with the departure of Johni Broome, arguably the most decorated player in program history.
Bruce Pearl and his staff have a tough road ahead. They’ve made a solid first move by bringing in Keyshawn Hall, but missing out once again on Flory Bidunga—this time to Kansas—highlighted the challenge of competing with programs offering more transparent and lucrative NIL deals.
Despite their Final Four run giving them plenty to pitch to recruits, money continues to be the deciding factor for many prospects.
So how can Auburn compete? One lingering concern among recruits is the potential for sudden leadership changes, especially with Pearl now stepping into the political arena.
Bruce Pearl named Chairman of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Israel Education Association
According to Trey Wallace of OutKick, Bruce Pearl’s new off-court position gives him added influence as a vocal supporter of the Israeli cause.
“The U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) is a nonprofit focused on educating government officials and fostering meaningful dialogue between the U.S. and Israel,” Wallace noted.
“With this role, Pearl won’t just be focused on basketball—he’ll also play a key part in advising leaders on how the U.S.-Israel relationship is shaping the future.”
This move raises an interesting question: is this the beginning of a transition plan to hand the program over to Steven Pearl? It certainly seems like that could be the case.