Auburn basketball’s offseason has been anything but smooth, as head coach Bruce Pearl and his staff faced the challenge of rebuilding almost the entire roster following last season’s Final Four run.
Most of the team’s core players exhausted their eligibility, while Chad Baker-Mazara and Jahki Howard entered the transfer portal. The only potential returnee was Tahaad Pettiford, who declared for the 2025 NBA Draft but retained his college eligibility.
Pettiford and his camp made it clear he would only remain in the draft if he secured a guaranteed first-round contract. After going through pre-draft evaluations, he ultimately chose to return to Auburn for his sophomore year.
Still, Auburn couldn’t wait on Pettiford’s decision alone. Pearl recently revealed that the coaching staff had prepared a backup plan in case Pettiford stayed in the draft.
“We had a couple of international players lined up who were ready to step in,” Pearl told On3. “These guys were a bit older and more experienced, and while nothing was guaranteed, we had done a good amount of groundwork. More programs are doing this now, and I think it’s a positive for college basketball.”
Pearl added that bringing in seasoned international players could benefit the college game by adding maturity and experience to rosters.
While Pettiford’s return gives Auburn a major boost, Pearl’s comments highlight how teams must now prepare for uncertain outcomes in the transfer portal and draft era, especially when reloading nearly an entire roster.
