Auburn’s Pettiford to go into draft pool, remain qualified
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Jonathan GivonyApr 7, 2025, 11:59 AM ET Close NBA draft expert and writer Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
Creator and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international groups
Auburn freshman Tahaad Pettiford will state for the 2025 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he told ESPN on Monday.
“I’m searching for an NBA group that values my skill set and sees my long-lasting potential,” Pettiford informed ESPN. “The right fit and organization that values me. I’ll sit down with my family and representation and choose whether to stay in the draft.”
Pettiford, the No. 39 possibility in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings, was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after averaging 11.6 points and 3.0 helps in 22.9 minutes per game this season. He assisted Auburn to the No. 1 total seed in the NCAA competition and a Final 4 berth. He scored 23 points versus Creighton in the Round of 32 and 20 points versus Michigan in the Sugary food 16.
“We had an amazing year,” Pettiford stated. “I could not have requested a much better freshman season. We lost in the Last Four, but that does not change the year we had.”
Tahaad Pettiford, who averaged 11.6 points and 3.0 assists in 22.9 minutes as a freshman for Auburn this season, stated he’ll state for the NBA draft. He is the No. 39 prospect in ESPN’s NBA draft rankings. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The 19-year-old Pettiford’s shot development, shotmaking expertise and scoring instincts have actually stuck out to NBA scouts, with several signature outings as he stepped up in clutch moments versus some of the best groups Auburn faced.Pettiford ranked
first on the group in helps and third in scoring regardless of completing sixth in minutes played, assisting him take a strong function on a deep, experienced Auburn team that started 5 players aged 22 to 25.
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“That’s why I concerned Auburn,” Pettiford said. “My coaches and teammates’ trust and self-confidence in me permitted me to thrive. Coach [Bruce] Pearl sees things in me and lets me be myself.”
Should Pettiford choose to return for his sophomore season, he will likely be a leading player for the Tigers, which had 10 elders on their roster this season.
“If I return, it will be to Auburn,” Pettiford said. “I can’t leave this kind of scenario. I rely on BP with all my heart, so I will roll with him. Loyalty is important to me.”
Pettiford has till May 28 to choose whether to withdraw his name from the draft to remain NCAA-eligible next season.He stated he will get ready for the combine and the NBA draft in Santa Barbara with his youth good friend, Dylan Harper of Rutgers, a fellow New Jersey native.The NBA integrate will be kept in Chicago from May
11 to May 18. Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft specialist and the founder and co-owner ofDraftExpress.com, a private searching and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International groups.