One of the most successful college basketball seasons of Auburn men’s basketball ended with the final four in 2024–25. The team does not look the same for the 2025–26 season, as the whole starting lineup has been changed, and new players like Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara have left. However, coach Bruce Pearl decided to fill the spots through the transfer portal, and thus, the lineup strength was restored.
The Tigers have pulled a fast one on other teams in a bid to recruit retirees, gaining ten new players. Auburn effectively retained its place as an opponent in the SEC through the mixture of experienced transfers and young freshmen.
Elyjah Freeman
Lincoln Memorial University’s Freeman played a significant role with 18.9 points, 8.7 boards, and the South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year award. Freeman’s selection of Auburn over Tennessee and Indiana was more of an attraction than other programs.
Keyshawn Hall
Mentioning his presence at UCF, Hall provided a bright performance by averaging 18.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, including a 47.9% field goal shooting and a 50% three-point range shooting. He had double-figure performances in 11 games; the best was 34 points against Kansas. Hall’s offensive skill set and his rebounding prowess, which are evident and very efficient, make him a suitable player for the team at Auburn.
KeShawn Murphy
Murphy will definitely bring considerable size and tons of adaptability to the Auburn frontcourt. He performed at Mississippi State, scoring 11.7, collecting 7.4 rebounds, and having a field goal percentage of 56.6%. Murphy, moreover, was a big defensive factor with 1.1 blocks per game. The work Murphy does in the paint and rebounding skills will be the key to the Tigers’ success.
Emeka Opurum
Opurum was known as a strong defensive player; after all, he led the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference with 87 blocks across 33 games. He also secured a 9.4-point, 8.1-rebound, and 2.6-block average per game, with a shooting efficiency of 67.2%. Auburn’s interior defense will benefit from his quality of blocking shots and his easy scoring around the basket.
Kevin Overton
The inclusion of Overton in Auburn’s backcourt improves the team’s overall depth and quality. While at Texas Tech, Overton scored 7.8 points and grabbed 3.7 rebounds, shooting 42.2% from the field on average per game. He showed very good games and, for instance, had 20 points against Arizona at the Big 12 Championship semifinals. Overton’s experience and scoring performances will undoubtedly benefit the Tigers.
Abdul Bashir
Bashir is a prolific scorer, averaging 27.2 points per game at Casper College. He shot 41.4% from the field, 36.8% from three-point range, and 87.7% from the free-throw line. His scoring prowess and shooting efficiency make him a potential offensive catalyst for Auburn.
Integrating Fresh Talent with Experience
Complementing the seasoned transfers, Auburn has secured commitments from promising freshmen:
- Sebastian Williams-Adams: A 6-foot-8 forward known for his athleticism and defensive capabilities.
- Kaden Magwood: A 6-foot-1 guard recognized for his scoring and playmaking skills.
- Simon Walker: A 6-foot-4 guard with a reputation for perimeter shooting and versatility.
The new players are anticipated to grow with support from the older ones, and hence, we will have a balanced and dynamic team. The coach’s method is for the new players, who are full of energy and have potential, to be mixed together with the mature and knowledgeable players to become a coherent team capable of competing at the highest level.
KEEP READING: Bruce Pearl Gets His Starting Big Man As 6′10″ Mississippi State Transfer Joins Auburn
Integrating these new players will be crucial as the Tigers prepare for the upcoming season. The success of this roster overhaul will depend on the team’s ability to build chemistry and adapt to Coach Pearl’s system. With a mix of proven performers and high-potential prospects, Auburn is poised to remain a formidable force in college basketball.
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