Auburn basketball freshman Jakhi Howard’s recent behavior on and off the court has drawn attention, particularly following his visibly frustrated demeanor during AU's season-opening win over Vermont and an altercation on a team flight that led to a temporary diversion.
In Auburn’s season opener against Vermont, Howard’s body language became a focal point during their dominant 94-43 victory. With Auburn up significantly, Howard was seen in the second half standing off in the corner and calling for the ball.
As teammates celebrated their shots and the crowd cheered, Howard dropped his head in frustration at least once and walked away while his teammates celebrated on the court. His reaction hinted at some underlying frustration despite the team’s success.
This tension appeared to spill over off the court. During a flight to Houston on Friday for their highly anticipated matchup against Houston, Howard and teammate Ja’Heim Hudson were involved in an altercation. According to reports, the incident began as light-hearted horseplay but quickly escalated into a scuffle that left the flight crew uncomfortable enough to request an emergency landing in Montgomery, Alabama.
Per flight recordings, air traffic control asked the pilot to assess the severity of the situation, to which the pilot responded, “We have a bunch of basketball players fighting.” Though the conflict was reportedly diffused before escalating further, the team's flight personnel decided to divert back to the Auburn University airport. Consequently, Howard and Hudson did not travel with the team for the Houston game, missing the Tigers' eventual upset victory.
Auburn basketball overcame 'Plane Gate' drama, overcame Houston in instant-classic win
Despite the distraction, Auburn managed to regroup and secure a notable 74-69 win over Houston. Tahaad Pettiford and Johni Broome led the Tigers with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Howard’s absence, however, was felt not only on the scoreboard but as part of an ongoing conversation about his role and integration within the team.
Head coach Bruce Pearl chose not to address the altercation following the game, focusing instead on the team’s achievement.
The incident raises questions about Howard’s future role with Auburn. The seven-point, four-rebound contribution he made against Vermont highlighted his potential, but recent displays of frustration and the flight incident have fueled speculation about the dynamic between him and his teammates.