After the 2024-25 season, Auburn’s basketball coaching staff has been faced with the tough challenge of completely overhauling the team’s roster. It’s possible that no scholarship players from last season will return, with Tahaad Pettiford being the lone potential holdover. Pettiford is currently exploring his NBA Draft prospects at the NBA Combine.
The Tigers are in a bit of a waiting phase when it comes to finalizing their roster rebuild for a couple of key reasons.
Pettiford has until May 28 to withdraw from the NBA Draft in order to keep his college eligibility. Head coach Bruce Pearl has indicated that if Pettiford doesn’t receive assurances of being a first-round pick, he plans to return to Auburn and won’t enter the transfer portal. Pearl also mentioned that if Pettiford decides to stay in the draft, there are several players interested in filling that spot.
As the coaching staff monitors Pettiford’s decision and considers whether to add another guard or wing, they’re also actively working to bring in another big man to pair with KeShawn Murphy, a transfer from Mississippi State.
“We’re still waiting on a big, and we’re hoping to finalize something soon — an international player,” Pearl told Auburn Rivals. “These things take time to process, and we’re not ready to make anything official until everything is in place.”
According to Auburn Rivals, one potential target for the Tigers is Filip Jovic of KK Mega Bemax in Serbia. This past season, Jovic averaged 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.5 blocks.