The Auburn Tigers delivered an impressive performance this past season, fueled by standout play from Naismith Player of the Year finalists Johni Broome and freshman phenom Tahaad Pettiford.
Auburn wrapped up the year with a school-record 32 wins, notching victories over Michigan State, Michigan, Creighton, and Alabama State on their way to a Final Four appearance.
Their tournament run came to an end with a heartbreaking loss to eventual national champions, the Florida Gators, falling just short of a shot at the title.
Following the tough defeat, a few Auburn players have begun revealing their next steps—some exploring the transfer portal, while others are declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Pettiford, one of the SEC’s top freshmen, announced his decision to enter the draft. He shared a heartfelt message on social media, thanking head coach Bruce Pearl and the Auburn community as he bid farewell—for now.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for guiding me through this journey,” Pettiford said. “I’m also incredibly thankful to my parents, coaches, and teammates for their support throughout this ride. I wouldn’t be here without them.
Thank you to Auburn University, the alumni, the staff, and especially the fans. This season has been the best year of my life. I’m proud of what we accomplished together.
I’m excited to officially enter my name into the 2025 NBA Draft, while keeping my college eligibility intact. Playing in the NBA has always been a dream, and I’m eager to see where this path leads.
No matter what comes next, Auburn will always be home. And if I decide to come back—let’s run it back.
War Eagle!”
During his freshman campaign, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.