Tigers Stay Hungry: Auburn Offseason Breakdown
2024-2025 will forever be marked as a historic year in Auburn basketball. The program held the AP’s one spot for most of the season, won 32 games, and reached their second-ever Final Four. Naturally, reaching these heights again is near impossible. Auburn will lose all five starters, including the Wooden Award runner-up, Johni Broome. With his back against the wall, Bruce Pearl stayed hungry and strung together a series of moves to keep Auburn competitive.
The makeup of Auburn’s roster entering the offseason was in the air. Tahaad Pettiford was testing the waters of the NBA draft, making it all the more difficult for Pearl to gauge his team’s exact needs. He had commitments from high school seniors Kaden Magwood, Sebastian Williams-Adams, and Simon Walker. However, the era of youth dominance in college basketball is over, and Pearl knew he had to be aggressive from the jump.
The first step was molding a frontcourt that replicated the versatility and intensity of last year’s. Pearl took a gamble on Keyshawn Hall, the UCF wing who was testing the NBA draft waters and the portal. Hall would commit to Pearl over the draft, giving Auburn their star frontcourt piece. Hall averaged 18.8 points and 7.2 rebounds a game last season, acting as UCF’s offensive engine. The forward is a gifted athlete who slashes hard to the rim and plays fierce defense. Pearl would also poach KeShawn Murphy from SEC rival Mississippi State. Murphy was one of the best inside scorers in college basketball last season, whose length and size will be pivotal in anchoring a Bruce Pearl defense. On the wings, Pearl will have both Kevin Overton and Elyjah Freeman. Overton is scrappy with a functional handle that makes winning plays, while Elyjah Freeman was one of the best Division II players last year, averaging 18.9 points and 8.7 rebounds, while shooting 45.6% from three.
Pearl has never been afraid to go after JUCO prospects, making the additions of Abdul Bashir and Emeka Opurum fitting moves. Bashir, a high-motor wing with a reputation for on-ball defense, brings a much-needed edge and swagger. Opurum, a rangy forward with height-end rebounding instincts and switchable defensive tools, fits seamlessly into Pearl’s system of high-energy, versatile basketball. Both players fell under the radar but embody the grit and toughness that Auburn basketball embodies.
While the high school trio of Magwood, Williams-Adams, and Walker offers long-term promise, the immediate burden will fall on the shoulders of Auburn’s transfer core. Out of the three, Magwood is most likely to see minutes as a confident scoring guard with a tight handle. International prospect Filip Jovic recently committed to round out the class. The six-foot-nine forward known for his feel, shooting touch, and ability to make plays out of the short roll should see minutes as he’s played professionally.
Pearl did a fantastic job retooling, but all he needed was a star. Luckily for him, Tahaad Pettiford withdrew from the NBA draft after not receiving a first-round promise. Pettiford was one of the most impactful draft decisions, as he’s now positioned to be one of the best guards in college basketball. His return gives Auburn a proven playmaker with explosive quickness, deep shooting range, and a knack for taking over games in crunch time. With a year of experience under his belt and a reloaded roster around him, Pettiford is primed to step into a leadership role and elevate his game to All-American territory.
