According to AL.com’s Tom Green, “it could make sense” for Allen Flanigan and Jaylin Williams to exercise the extra year of eligibility granted to them due to the COVID-19-stricken 2020-21 season and return for a fifth season for Auburn basketball.
“It could make sense for either of Flanigan or Williams to return for a fifth season, while (Babatunde) Akingbola could stick around or seek an opportunity to see the court elsewhere for his final year of eligibility,” Green wrote. “Both said they had not given it much thought at that point, but both intended to sit down with their families (which in Flanigan’s case includes his father, Auburn assistant coach Wes Flanigan) and Pearl before coming to their respective decisions.”
If Auburn loses Flanigan and Williams — this in addition to departing senior Zep Jasper and transfer portal losses Yohan Traore and Chance Westry — Green sees the transfer portal as the most likely resource to replenish the roster. “Much like two seasons ago, it’s likely that most of Auburn’s reinforcements this offseason will come from the portal,” Green wrote.
Auburn basketball could lose more starters
There’s a very real possibility that Jasper, Williams, and Flanigan won’t be the only starters who depart the Plains this offseason. Wendell Green Jr. told the panel of The Next Round that he also needs to discuss his future with his family.
“For me, I love Auburn,” Green prefaced before saying, “I haven’t thought about it too much yet…that’s a conversation I’m gonna have with my family and, you know, we’re gonna see what’s happening next.”
Potential Auburn basketball transfer portal options
Green revealed several transfer portal targets the Tigers coaching staff could have their eyes on in the offseason.
“It’s early in the process, but Auburn has reportedly reached out to several intriguing options who have already entered their names into the portal,” Green prefaced before saying, “Among those are FIU transfer guard Denver Jones, an Alabama native who averaged north of 20 points per game this season while shooting 37 percent from deep, as well as Rice guard Quincy Olivari, a two-time All-Conference USA selection who averaged 18.7 points per game this season. Other transfer players Auburn has reportedly expressed interest in include Oregon big man Kel’el Ware, an Arkansas native and former five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 7 overall player in the 2022 class; Temple’s Damian Dunn, a 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 15.3 points per game and shot 34.8 percent from deep last season; SEC guards Amaree Abram (Ole Miss) and Kario Oquendo (Georgia), the latter of whom is also testing the NBA Draft waters.”
Auburn, in addition to schools from every single other power conference, is reportedly in on Syracuse transfer Joseph Girard III.