Auburn Tigers Bolster Frontcourt Depth With Addition of All-Atlantic 10 Standout Forward Margey Brown From Saint Joseph’s
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl continues to reshape his roster for the upcoming season, and on Saturday, the Tigers landed a significant addition from the transfer portal. Former Saint Joseph’s forward Margey Brown, an All-Atlantic 10 selection this past season, has committed to Auburn, bringing with him a versatile skill set, leadership experience, and a reputation as one of the most dynamic frontcourt players in the A-10.
Brown’s decision to transfer comes on the heels of a standout junior season in which he averaged 15.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 38.2% from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor as a 6-foot-8 forward with both interior presence and perimeter touch made him a nightmare matchup in the Atlantic 10. For an Auburn team looking to reload after the departure of key contributors, including All-SEC forward Jaylin Williams and center Johni Broome, Brown fills a critical need.
What makes Brown particularly valuable to Auburn is his adaptability. At Saint Joseph’s, he was often tasked with doing a little bit of everything—whether it was scoring from the high post, crashing the glass, or stepping out to hit timely threes. He showed an advanced feel for the game and often served as a calming influence for a Hawks team that leaned on him in tight games. That maturity and poise will be essential for the Tigers, who are looking to compete near the top of the SEC standings once again and make a deeper push in March.
In Auburn’s system, Brown projects to be a seamless fit. Pearl’s offense thrives with forwards who can initiate offense, pass out of the high post, and move fluidly in transition. Brown checks all those boxes. He’s an excellent decision-maker, capable of putting the ball on the floor when necessary but also disciplined enough to operate within the flow of the offense. His presence opens the floor for Auburn’s guards and creates matchup headaches for opponents who can’t afford to sag off a capable shooter at the four position.
Defensively, Brown isn’t just a scorer and rebounder—he’s a high-effort defender with enough agility to switch onto wings and enough toughness to battle inside. While he may not be a shot-blocking force like some of Auburn’s recent bigs, he positions himself well and brings a gritty mentality on the glass. His 7.3 rebounds per game last season were a career best and included numerous key boards in clutch moments that preserved wins for the Hawks. That kind of presence will go a long way in the physically demanding SEC.
Beyond his statistics and in-game impact, Brown brings something that every coach values: leadership. He was often described by Saint Joseph’s head coach Billy Lange as “the emotional engine” of the team, a player who sets the tone in practice and encourages accountability among teammates. Those intangibles don’t always show up in the box score, but they are critical for programs trying to establish consistency and culture, especially during the rigors of conference play.
For Auburn, Brown’s arrival could also mark a turning point in the program’s offseason momentum. The Tigers have faced some uncertainty over the past month with players entering the transfer portal, testing the NBA Draft waters, and juggling injuries during spring workouts. Pearl’s ability to secure a proven, all-conference performer from a respected mid-major like Saint Joseph’s sends a clear signal: Auburn is not rebuilding—it’s reloading. And Brown, who drew interest from multiple high-major programs, chose Auburn because he believes he can help them win immediately.
In a statement shared on social media, Brown expressed excitement about joining the Tigers. “Auburn felt like home the minute I stepped on campus,” he wrote. “The coaching staff’s energy, the way they see me fitting into the system, and the family atmosphere really stood out. I’m grateful for everything Saint Joseph’s gave me, but I’m ready to compete at the highest level and help bring championships to Auburn.”
His decision also underscores a growing trend in college basketball: the migration of top mid-major talent to power conference programs through the transfer portal. Players like Brown, who develop at smaller schools and then elevate their profile, are increasingly sought after for their readiness to contribute and their competitive edge. For coaches like Pearl, who value experience and versatility, these kinds of portal additions are crucial in today’s win-now environment.
Brown will join a frontcourt that includes rising sophomore center Peyton Marshall, who showed flashes of brilliance in limited minutes last season, and stretch big man Dylan Cardwell, whose return for a fifth year provides leadership and rim protection. The addition of Brown offers Pearl a trio of frontcourt options with complementary skill sets—Marshall’s size, Cardwell’s defense, and Brown’s scoring—and the ability to mix and match depending on opponents.
Expect Brown to slot in as a starter from day one. His offensive arsenal—highlighted by a smooth mid-range jumper, crafty footwork in the post, and a reliable outside shot—should give Auburn an offensive boost, especially during stretches where the team struggled with consistency in half-court sets last season. His ability to run pick-and-pop actions and find open teammates will also ease the burden on Auburn’s backcourt, allowing guards like Aden Holloway and transfer addition Zyon Pullin to play freer and more efficiently.
Recruiting services ranked Brown as one of the top available forwards in the portal, and for good reason. He’s not just a statistical standout—he’s a winner. At Saint Joseph’s, he helped engineer a turnaround that saw the program jump from a bottom-tier A-10 team to one that consistently competed for postseason opportunities. That winning mentality, along with his proven ability to produce against top-level competition, bodes well for his impact at Auburn.
There’s also the motivational edge that comes with playing on a bigger stage. Brown is aware of the spotlight that comes with SEC basketball and is embracing it. Friends and coaches describe him as someone who thrives under pressure and takes pride in silencing doubters. His path to Auburn wasn’t lined with five-star accolades or blue-blood offers out of high school. He built his reputation brick by brick, and now he’s ready to prove he belongs among the best in the nation.
Bruce Pearl, who has made a career out of identifying and developing under-the-radar talent, was effusive in his praise of Brown during a recent radio appearance. “Margey is everything we look for in a player—tough, skilled, unselfish, and hungry,” Pearl said. “He’s going to make an immediate impact, not just on the court but in our locker room. He knows what it takes to win, and he’s coming here with something to prove.”
That chip-on-the-shoulder mentality will serve Brown well in the SEC, a league known for its physicality and pace. But if his career thus far is any indication, he’s not likely to shrink from the challenge. In fact, don’t be surprised if Brown becomes one of the breakout players in the conference next season—a steady, reliable force who helps Auburn maintain its status as a perennial tournament team and legitimate SEC title contender.
As the summer offseason unfolds, Auburn fans will have plenty of reasons for optimism, and Margey Brown is near the top of the list. His arrival brings talent, toughness, and tenacity—qualities that not only reflect Pearl’s coaching philosophy but also the identity of Auburn basketball. With Brown in the fold, the Tigers are deeper, stronger, and better positioned to navigate the challenges of another grueling SEC campaign.
Whether it’s banging in the paint, hitting a timely three, or locking down a stretch four on the other end, Brown will be asked to wear many hats. And if his time at Saint Joseph’s is any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge. Auburn didn’t just add a player—they added a tone-setter, a leader, and perhaps the missing piece to another deep postseason run.
