Auburn’s Aden Holloway and Denver Jones Shine, but Tre Donaldson Steals Spotlight as Pettiford Eyes First-Round NBA Stock

The NBA Combine is fast approaching, and one Auburn Tiger is drawing attention in all the right ways. K.D. Pettiford, the explosive and versatile guard who turned heads throughout the 2024–25 college basketball season, now finds himself under a magnifying glass—his draft stock soaring as scouts and executives prepare to descend on Chicago for the annual showcase of elite prospects.

What once began as whispers surrounding Pettiford’s potential has grown into full-blown conversations about his place in the 2025 NBA Draft’s first round. The conversation isn’t just about if he belongs—it’s now about how high he can climb.

Pettiford’s trajectory isn’t a mystery to those who have watched his development under Bruce Pearl. He emerged during the midseason stretch as a two-way force, providing Auburn with both an on-ball scoring threat and a defensive disruptor. Though he didn’t begin the season as the centerpiece, Pettiford’s grit, decision-making, and explosive athleticism quickly made him one of the Tigers’ most indispensable players.

He averaged 15.2 points, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game during his sophomore campaign, shooting a strong 47.5% from the floor and 38% from deep. The shooting leap is what intrigued NBA scouts the most. Last season, questions about his perimeter game lingered, but Pettiford returned in 2024–25 with a reworked shooting form and improved confidence from beyond the arc. He became a weapon in the catch-and-shoot game and displayed the ability to create his own shot in isolation—two key markers of success at the next level.

The NBA Combine will offer him a platform to put that refined offensive package on full display, but perhaps more importantly, it will be a chance to showcase the intangibles that have always been his calling card. Pettiford brings fire and poise at the same time. He communicates constantly on the floor, positions teammates, and takes on the toughest defensive assignments without hesitation. He is not merely reacting to the game—he’s processing it at a speed most guards his age are still learning to understand.

At 6-foot-3 and around 190 pounds, Pettiford doesn’t overwhelm with size, but his compact strength and lightning-fast first step make him a nightmare matchup in transition and a pesky defender at the point of attack. NBA personnel have grown increasingly interested in guard prospects who can defend multiple positions and adapt quickly to different schemes. Pettiford checks both boxes. His defensive instincts, footwork, and timing jump off the tape.

And then there’s the motor. Pettiford doesn’t coast. Whether Auburn was up 15 or down 5, his energy never dipped. That consistency has become a pillar of his identity—and it’s one reason teams across the league believe he can be an early contributor, even in a league filled with seasoned professionals.

One Western Conference scout put it plainly: “He’s got the tools to be a rotation player on a playoff team by Year One. That’s not something you say lightly. He competes hard, and he thinks the game. I think he’s a first-rounder.”

For Pettiford, however, the job isn’t done. Sources close to the Auburn program say he’s been training relentlessly since the Tigers’ season ended. His pre-combine workouts have included NBA-level coaching, game-speed reps, and a heavy emphasis on conditioning—ensuring he’ll be at peak form when it matters most. He’s also been refining his pick-and-roll reads and working on a deeper floater package, two areas he and his camp believe will elevate his offensive ceiling.

Pettiford has also been focused on improving his handle under pressure. While turnovers weren’t a massive issue during the season, the combine environment—where scouts intentionally apply defensive heat in drills—can expose loose handles or indecision. Pettiford has embraced that challenge. The goal: leave no doubt.

Interestingly, Pettiford’s rise coincides with a broader Auburn renaissance. With players like Denver Jones and Aden Holloway also attracting NBA interest, the Tigers are once again becoming a talent pipeline. That depth may have made it more difficult for any one player to dominate headlines during the season, but it also helped sharpen Pettiford’s game. He had to fight for minutes, responsibilities, and late-game touches. That internal competition bred confidence and urgency—two traits that NBA teams crave in late first-round or early second-round picks.

Bruce Pearl, never one to hold back praise when it’s earned, recently said in an interview, “K.D. was our engine. He made us go. There were games we won just because he refused to let us lose.” That mindset doesn’t just earn praise—it earns opportunities.

In this year’s draft class, which lacks clear consensus beyond the top five or six names, there is real opportunity for a player like Pettiford to jump. Guards with two-way ability, toughness, and scoring chops are always in demand. The rise of combo guards and hybrid playmakers across the NBA—think Jalen Brunson, Jrue Holiday, and Davion Mitchell—has opened the door wider than ever for high-IQ players with a physical edge.

It also helps that Pettiford comes without red flags. There are no known injury concerns, off-court issues, or questions about his commitment. He’s done everything asked of him at Auburn and has continued to grow with each season. In pre-draft interviews, scouts are already noting how polished he is in front of the camera—professional, respectful, but confident in his abilities.

The combine measurements will matter. A strong wingspan reading could further elevate his defensive upside in scouts’ eyes. A vertical leap above 38 inches? That would put him among the top-tier athletes in the class. And should he perform well in the agility drills, there will be little left for detractors to nitpick.

As for the scrimmages—the crown jewel of the combine—Pettiford is reportedly all-in. While some projected first-rounders sit out to preserve stock, Pettiford wants to compete. That choice in itself speaks volumes to NBA executives. It’s not just a sign of belief in his game—it’s a signal that he thrives in competitive environments, where everything is earned.

There’s also the question of fit. Multiple teams near the back half of the first round have expressed interest. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and Orlando Magic all have needs in the backcourt and could benefit from a player with Pettiford’s versatility. And with the NBA’s trend toward positionless lineups and switching defenses, guards like Pettiford, who can switch and contribute without dominating the ball, become even more valuable.

It’s worth noting that Pettiford has been through adversity. He wasn’t a five-star out of high school. He wasn’t projected as a lottery lock coming into the year. But that underdog edge has shaped how he plays. Every possession is a chance to prove he belongs—and that mindset, more than anything, may be what separates him from the pack in Chicago.

If he interviews well, tests strong, and performs confidently in drills and scrimmages, Pettiford could leave the combine not only cemented as a first-rounder but also as one of the week’s biggest risers. His momentum is real, and it’s building.

With just weeks until the draft, all eyes will be on his performance—and for the Auburn faithful, there’s little doubt that Pettiford is about to put the program’s name back in the NBA spotlight.

Ready or not, K.D. Pettiford is coming—and the league is starting to take notice.