Following his NBA Draft selection, Bruce Pearl sends Tahaad Pettiford a parting message.

Auburn men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl has never been one to shy away from publicly celebrating his players — especially those who pour their heart into the program and leave as professionals. That sentiment rang loud and clear again on Wednesday night, moments after freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford was selected in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Pettiford, who spent just one year on the Plains, heard his name called early in the second round, marking a major milestone in his basketball journey. The moment was historic not just for Pettiford and his family, but also for Pearl and the Auburn program — a testament to both player development and the trust forged between coach and athlete.

“He came in as a freshman, but he leaves as an Auburn man,” Pearl said in a statement shared to social media. “Tahaad’s work ethic, resilience, and ability to impact the game on both ends made him special. I couldn’t be prouder to see him take this next step in his career.”

A Short Stay, A Lasting Impact

Pettiford, a former five-star recruit out of Hudson Catholic High School in New Jersey, arrived at Auburn in the summer of 2024 with sky-high expectations. A lightning-quick 6-foot-1 point guard with elite court vision and an ability to create his own shot, he was one of the headliners in Pearl’s nationally ranked recruiting class.

Although his stay was brief, Pettiford made the most of his lone season in the SEC.

He averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, establishing himself as one of the top freshman guards in the nation. Pettiford’s burst off the dribble, combined with an improving three-point shot and mature decision-making, earned him Second Team All-SEC honors and a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.

More importantly, he helped Auburn to a 25-9 record, a deep SEC Tournament run, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. While the Tigers’ March Madness journey was cut short in the Sweet 16, Pettiford’s performance against top-tier competition left NBA scouts convinced of his readiness.

“Tahaad grew up fast this year,” Pearl said. “The SEC is no joke, and night after night, he faced elite athletes, veteran defenders, and hostile crowds. And he never blinked.”

From New Jersey to the NBA

What made Pettiford’s journey so compelling was the path he traveled. A native of Jersey City, Pettiford honed his craft against rugged competition on the East Coast before becoming a star in the EYBL circuit. He committed to Auburn over blue-blood programs like Kentucky, Kansas, and UConn, citing Pearl’s “energy” and Auburn’s family culture as key factors.

“Coach Pearl always kept it real with me,” Pettiford said during his introductory press conference last year. “I knew he’d push me, and I knew I’d grow here. I didn’t want to just be another name. I wanted to be part of something.”

He was. Pettiford became the emotional sparkplug of Auburn’s 2024–25 team. Whether it was a transition dunk, a late-game defensive stop, or a gutsy play in the clutch, he consistently delivered. In a road game at Tennessee, Pettiford exploded for 26 points and 7 assists, leading Auburn to a key conference win. In the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, he banked in a wild buzzer-beater to beat Florida — a moment that went viral and cemented his growing legacy.

His flair for the dramatic, combined with his humility off the court, endeared him to fans and teammates alike.

Pearl’s Track Record Grows

For Bruce Pearl, Pettiford’s selection in the draft continues a growing trend of NBA development within the Auburn program. Over the last six years, Pearl has seen stars like Jabari Smith Jr., Walker Kessler, Isaac Okoro, Chuma Okeke, and Sharife Cooper all make their way to the NBA.

Pettiford’s rise is another feather in that cap — and a clear signal to recruits that Auburn is a legitimate launching pad for professional basketball.

“We don’t promise the NBA — we promise to develop you, love you, and prepare you,” Pearl told ESPN shortly after the draft. “Tahaad put in the work, and now he’s reaping the reward. That’s how it should be.”

Pearl also highlighted Pettiford’s leadership in the locker room, especially as a freshman trying to earn the trust of veterans.

“Some guys come in and act like they’ve already made it. Tahaad wasn’t that way,” Pearl said. “He listened. He learned. And eventually, he led. That’s rare at 19 years old.”

Auburn’s Future, Pettiford’s Legacy

With Pettiford off to the NBA, Auburn will look to reload in the backcourt. The Tigers are expected to rely on incoming freshman Zion Stackhouse, a four-star combo guard from Georgia, along with returning junior Tre Donaldson and transfer portal target Caleb Foster from Duke.

Still, Pettiford’s departure leaves big shoes to fill — both from a production standpoint and as a tone-setter.

“We’ll miss his fire, man,” said Auburn forward Johni Broome. “He’s a little dude with a big heart. He pushed all of us every day. Whoever gets him in the NBA is getting a dog.”

For Pettiford, Auburn was more than just a stop on the road to the league. It was a family.

In his own post-draft statement, he made that clear.

“Auburn changed my life. I’m forever grateful to Coach Pearl, the staff, my teammates, and the fans. Y’all embraced me from Day 1 and let me be me. I’ll always be proud to say I wore that jersey.”

The NBA Fit

Pettiford was selected 36th overall by the San Antonio Spurs, a team known for its player development culture and emphasis on intelligent guard play. He’ll join a backcourt that features up-and-comers like Tre Jones and Malaki Branham, along with a generational big man in Victor Wembanyama.

Early reports suggest the Spurs were intrigued by Pettiford’s speed, toughness, and ability to run an offense in pick-and-roll situations.

“He’s got a real edge to him,” one NBA scout told The Athletic. “Undersized maybe, but he’s fearless. Think of a young Jalen Brunson-type player. He’s going to surprise people.”

Pettiford is expected to spend time with San Antonio’s Summer League squad in Las Vegas and could earn rotation minutes early if his defensive intensity translates.

Pearl’s Farewell, A Door Left Open

Bruce Pearl’s message to Pettiford ended with a signature touch — heartfelt, emotional, and forward-looking.

“Tahaad, you made us proud every day you put on that jersey. You represented your family, your community, and Auburn the right way. No matter where this journey takes you, you’ll always have a home on the Plains. You’ll always be an Auburn man. War Eagle.”

It was the kind of farewell that wasn’t just about a coach losing a player. It was about a bond that will endure — one built on trust, growth, and belief.

In the end, Pettiford’s time at Auburn might have lasted only one season, but the impact he made — and the love he received — will last a lifetime.

In today’s ever-changing college basketball landscape, one-and-done stars can sometimes feel like passing ships — here today, gone tomorrow. But every once in a while, a player comes along who connects deeply with a school, with a coach, and with a fanbase in a way that transcends wins and losses.

Tahaad Pettiford was one of those players for Auburn.

And Bruce Pearl knew it.

So did every Tiger fan who watched him dive for loose balls, pump his fists after big plays, and wear the Auburn jersey with pride.

Now, as he begins his next chapter in the NBA, Pettiford does so with the full backing of his college coach, his former teammates, and a fanbase that saw him not just as a five-star recruit, but as one of their own.

He may be trading in orange and blue for silver and black, but as Bruce Pearl said so simply: