During the Auburn Tigers' wild and fun 2024-25 season, one player started to shine late.
Tahaad Pettiford has been impressing NBA scouts since deciding to try out for the Draft. There's a lot of speculation on both sides of the ball on whether Tahaad is returning to Auburn or going pro. No one really knows, but what is known: Pettiford was reported two days ago to be rated the No. 39 prospect per Justin Hokanson, just two spots behind national spotlight player Johni Broome, in the middle of the second round.
Then Wednesdays 5-on-5 scrimmaged game happen and Tahaad took off, impressing Kevin Sweeney of SI.com to put him as his No. 2 of the seven players who shined at the scrimmage.
This is what he had to say.
“Pettiford’s performance in Wednesday’s scrimmage was perhaps the best individual showing of the week, an explosive 23 points and eight assists that showcased his elite offensive repertoire. Pettiford made shots off the bounce, picked apart the defense with his passing in ball screens and played with tremendous pace. He also tested well athletically, measuring over six feet tall without shoes and posting one of the highest verticals in the camp. He followed that up with a poor showing in Thursday’s game, though, a reminder of the inconsistency that sometimes caught up to him in his freshman year at Auburn," Sweeney wrote.
That performance and how he measured moved Tahaad from No. 39 to No. 21 on NBADraft.net’s Draft Board and 19th on their 2025 mock draft.
That’s a huge jump in ranking for the soon-to-be former Auburn Tiger, and with comments like “Probably a guarantee, first round,” Pettiford said on what it would take to turn pro. “If I get there, my decision will be made.” per Kevin Sweeney of SI.com the choice has been made.
Would Auburn fans be excited if Pettiford returned? Absolutely, as Tahaad would be considered one of the best guards in college but if what Tahaad said is true, Auburn fans should get acquainted with Kaden Magwood because he is the next in line.