Auburn’s basketball roster has seen a massive overhaul since the Tigers walked off the court in Indianapolis as the champions of the NIT.
While several players who would have been regulars in Steven Pearl’s lineup next season, including Sebastian Williams-Adams, Filip Jovic, Kaden Magwood and Elyjah Freeman, Auburn has seen a few key contributors, especially Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, announce they will be back in an Auburn uniform next season.
While the transfer portal closed on Tuesday for players who want to enter, Pearl and his staff might not be done adding to the 2026-27 roster. Here’s an updated look at who is in, who is out and who is arriving for Auburn for next season, along with a predicted starting five.
Starting lineup
Tahaad Pettiford (15.4 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, 3.0 rebounds per game) - While his sophomore season didn’t go as well as Pettiford wanted, he still showed flashes of what made him a preseason All-SEC pick, picking it up at the end of the season with 28 points in the SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee and 24 points in the NIT title game against Tulsa.
Kevin Overton (14.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.3 apg)- The guard caught fire at the end of the season, scoring 20-or-more points in seven of the Tigers’ last 11 games, including 26 in the NIT title game win over the Golden Hurricane. He will be a huge part of Pearl’s offensive plans next season.
Thomas Dowd (Troy)- The Sun Belt Tournament MVP, Dowd averaged a double-double for the Trojans, scoring 14.4 points and grabbing 10.1 rebounds per game. At 6-foot-8, he also brings size to the forward position.
Bukky Oboye (Santa Clara)- At 7-foot-1, Oboye finally gives Pearl and the Tigers a dominant inside force. Last year for the Broncos, he averaged 7.9 points and 4.1 rebounds.
Adam Olsen (South Alabama)- Another player with size at 6-foot-8, the British Columbia native put up 16.7 points and 4.1 rebounds last year for the Jaguars.
Returners
Blake Muschalek (0.6 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.2 apg) - Not a major piece, but someone who can give Pearl quality minutes with his hustle and defense.
Incoming Transfers
Owen Freeman (Creighton) - “Owen brings a unique and valuable skill set to our program,” Pearl said. “He’s one of the most polished post players in the country—his footwork, touch, and ability to score over either shoulder truly stands out. He doesn’t rely on size alone; he understands how to play, how to counter, and how to be a true go-to option on the block.”
George Kimble III (Eastern Kentucky) - Kimble missed all of last season due to injury, but in the 2024-25 season with Eastern Kentucky, he averaged 18 points per game.
Signees
Narcisse Ngoy - An import from France, the 7-foot Ngoy is still a work in progress, but his shot-making and rebounding abilities should be assets for Auburn.
Caleb Williams - A 3-star signee out of Specially Fit Academy in Tampa, Williams is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who should see some playing time.
Departures
Sebastian Williams-Adams - Transferred to Vanderbilt
Emeke Opurum - Still in portal
Elyjah Freeman - Transferred to Texas
Abdul Bashir - Still in portal
Filip Jovic - Transferred to UCLA
Kaden Magwood - Still in portal
Graduated
Keyshaun Hall
KeShawn Murphy
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