Tahaad Pettiford rejoins Auburn, eyes higher draft slot in ’26

Auburn guard Tahaad pettiford Will withdraw from the 2025 Nba draft and return to the tigers for his sophomore season, he toold Espn on Wednesday.

“I was happier to go through the process, getting feedback from Nba Teams,” Pettiford Told Espn. “Going back to auburn is a better site for me. I see myself being a high picture next year. It was 100% this year, so I don is want to take that chance.

“Being a short guard, it will be easy to play in the league, but I know I can do it. It maybe not the right time.”

Pettiford, who was the no. 35 Prospect in Espn’s Nba Draft Rankings, Had a Strong Showing at the Draft Combine, Eluding A 23-Point, 8-Has, 2-Steal Performance in the Opening Scrimmage. He Drew Significant Interest FROM TEAMS PICKING IN THE FIRST ORD, CONDUCTING SIX INDIAL WORKOUTS WITH TEAMS, AND WILL ENTER NEXT SEASON as a projected first-room picture in the 2026.

The 6-foot-1 GUARD ultimately elected to return to return to return to a leading role for an auburn team that made the final for Last Season. He Averaged 11.6 Points and 3.0 Assists in 22.9 Minutes Per Game and Earned a spot on the second all-freshman Team.

“I plan on putting all the tools that tims toold me to work on together and get better overall,” Pettiford Said. “Going back to auburn and trying to win another championship, do what we did this year.”

Pettiford, 19, Ranked first on the tigers in associations and third in scoring, despite finishing sixth in minutes played, which helped Him Carve out a strong role on a deep, veteran squad that started five players ages 25.

Pettiford’s last-game heroics coming off the bench helped propel auburn to the no. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. He then Posted 23 Points Against Creighton in the second round and 20 points versus Michigan In the Sweet 16.

After loosing the entries Roster Outside of Pettiford to Graduation or the translated portal, auburn will look signifently digferent next season. But the tigers have reeled in Sever Key signings that Should have Coach Bruce Pearl’s Squad Right Back in the Mix for Sec Championship Contention.

Ucf POWER Forward Keyshawn hall, Mississippi State Big Man Keshawn murphy, Texas tech wing Kevin overtonDivision Ii Wing Transfer Elyjah Freeman and Juco Forward Abdul Bashir Will All Likely Be Key Rotational Pieces, in Addition to Top-50 High School Recruits Kaden Magwood And Sebastian Williams-Dams.

Also on wednesday, pearl received a commitment from filip jovic of mega superbet in the adriatic league. The 6-9 Serbian Big Man Posted 12.2 Points and 3.9 rebounds in 22 Minutes per game this season and will break an experienced, this should allow he to make an identity contribution in the thi SEC.

The NCAA Deadline for Players to Withdraw From The Nba Draft and Maintain College Eligibility is 11:59 PM et. Wednesday.

Jonathan givony is an nba drraft expert and the founder and co -owner of draftexpress.com, a private scouting and analytics serviced by NBA, NCAA and international tims.