Auburn freshman and SEC All-Freshman Team honoree Tahaad Pettiford is testing NBA waters while retaining NBA eligibility. He told ESPN Monday. Pettiford, who averaged 11.6 points and led the team with three assists per game, will now become a top-40 prospect in many draft rankings.
The announcement comes off Auburn’s 79-73 loss to No. 1 Florida in the Final Four Saturday. Pettiford had seven points on 1-6 shooting, four assists, and three rebounds on 23 minutes off the bench.
Auburn Freshman Tahaad Pettiford is Headed For the NBA Draft, Maintaining NCAA Eligibility
“I’m looking for an NBA team that values my skill set and sees my long-term potential. The right fit and organization that values me. I’ll sit down with my family and representation and decide whether to stay in the draft,” Pettiford told ESPN. “We had an amazing year. I couldn’t have asked for a better freshman season. We lost in the Final Four, but that doesn’t change the year we had.”
Auburn freshman Tahaad Pettiford has entered the 2025 NBA Draft 🚨🔥 @AuburnMBB
He plans to maintain his NCAA eligibility. https://t.co/ouSYuXJj1k pic.twitter.com/54ZoACxID9
— SLAM University (@slam_university) April 7, 2025
Pettiford, who was third in scoring for the Tigers put up 23 points against Creighton in the Round of 32 and 20 in the Sweet 16 against Michigan, he had career-high 24 in a 70-68 win at Georgia in January. His shotmaking and creation have stood out among NBA prospects this season.
“That’s why I came to Auburn,” Pettiford said. “My coaches and teammates’ trust and confidence in me allowed me to thrive. Coach [Bruce] Pearl sees things in me and lets me be myself.”
For the Tigers, who had 10 seniors on the roster, the return of Pettiford would be a big one. As a sophomore, he would be considered a leader on a team losing the likes of national player of the year contender Johni Broome.
“If I return, it will be to Auburn,” Pettiford said. “I can’t leave this type of situation. I trust BP with all my heart and will roll with him. Loyalty is important to me.”
Pettiford, who has until May 28 to decide whether to enter the draft or withdraw and maintain NCAA eligibility, told ESPN he will prepare for the combine and draft with childhood friend and fellow New Jersey native Dylan Harper of Rutgers in Santa Barbara.
KEEP READING: ‘Turned the Ball Over Too Much’ — Auburn’s Miles Kelly Gets Honest About What Cost Them the Game Against Florida
The NBA Combine will be held in Chicago from May 11 to May 18.
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