Alright, so with Tahaad Pettiford officially coming back and Philip Jovic now in the mix, it’s time to take a real look at this 2025 Auburn men’s basketball roster. And let me tell you right now—this IS NOT last year’s squad.
Coach Pearl is working with a whole new group, top to bottom. One returner. ONE. Everybody else? Transfers, freshmen, overseas talent. So, chemistry is gonna be the biggest storyline this offseason.
Let’s dive in and talk about what this team is, what it ain’t, and what questions need answering.
The Guards: Tahaad’s Team Now
So, we know Pettiford is running the show. That’s the given. But behind him? Auburn is going to be depending on freshman Kaden Magwood. Now, I like Kaden’s game a lot—he’s got three-level scoring ability, can get to the rim, can shoot it, and he’s athletic enough to not be a liability defensively.
But you’ve gotta remember—this’ll be Auburn’s second straight season rolling with a true freshman as their primary ball handler. That’s not ideal, even with Tahaad leading the way.
Auburn also got Simon Walker, Kevin Overton (transfer from Texas Tech), and Abdul Bashir from the JUCO ranks. Overton might be the guy we look to for some defense in the backcourt, but he’s not a true lead guard. Bashir’s got scoring chops, but he’s never really been asked to facilitate.
This is where it gets tricky. If Tahaad gets into foul trouble—which he did a few times last year—or if he needs a breather, who steps in and keeps the offense flowing?
The Bigs & Wings: All Kinds of Versatility
Now this frontcourt… this is where things get spicy.
Auburn brought in Keyshawn Hall from UCF. And I already talked in the last article about how excited I am for that Hall + Pettiford pick-and-roll combo. But he isn’t coming to the party alone.
Here’s the lineup:
- Philip Jovic – 6’8″ forward from Serbia. Great short-roll guy. Patient, skilled, can shoot a bit. Doesn’t need post touches but will still get buckets.
- Keyshawn Murphy – 6’10” transfer from Mississippi State. More of a rim-runner. You aren’t getting pick-and-pop stuff from him like you do from Jovic.
- Elijah Freeman – 6’8″ freshman. Big frame, still raw, but has the tools.
- Emeka Puram – 7’0″ JUCO transfer. Long, lean shot-blocker type.
- Abdul Bashir – Already mentioned him, but at 6’7″, he is a BUCKET!
Auburn will have length. Auburn will have shooting. However, what Auburn doesn’t have yet is chemistry. Nobody in this frontcourt has played together. Coach Pearl’ and staff will spend the entire offseason figuring out how all these pieces fit. Are they switchable on defense? Can they communicate in help rotations? That’s what’s gonna make or break this team early.
What This Offense Might Look Like
Last year, everything ran through Johni Broome. It was post-heavy, twin-tower style with he and Dylan Cardwell. That’s out the window now.
This year’s squad? Auburn will be going pick-and-roll, pick-and-pop, and run-n-gun. And I’m here for it. It is a call back to some of the Auburn teams of the past.
Auburn has guys who can stretch the floor—Jovic, Hall, and Bashir, even Overton. That means spacing is gonna be much better. We’ll see more corner shooters ready to punish help defense. That’s something Auburn relied on last season but failed them late in the year.
The downside? Its still up in the air about how Auburn will perform on the glass. There will be plenty of 3s in the air. Which means, there are plenty of chances for long rebounds. So if Tahaad is slicing and dicing off that screen, help’s coming—and those shooters gotta be ready to let it fly. Can Auburn control the glass?
Questions That Need Answers
Look, I love the talent here. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have questions:
- Who’s the defensive anchor on the perimeter?
- Can we defend without fouling with so many new faces?
- What’s the rebounding situation going to look like without Broome cleaning the glass?
And the biggest one—how long is it gonna take for this group to gel? Offense is one thing, but defense and communication… that’s built in the summer. They are going to have to live in the gym together.
Final Thoughts
This team’s gonna be different. I’m talking fast-paced, highlight-reel, stretch-the-floor basketball. And with Pettiford and Hall leading the charge, it’s gonna be fun to watch.
But if they don’t rebound, or if they can’t lock in defensively? It could be a rocky start.
That said—I’m optimistic. There’s real potential here. And if this coaching staff can get these guys to buy in early, Auburn could be a serious problem come SEC play.
📌 Up Next:
- Don’t miss my breakdown of the Auburn Women’s Basketball 2025 Roster – Read it here.
- Watch the full video breakdown of this team’s potential: Click to watch on YouTube
Tap in with us at The War Rapport. You know I’ll keep bringing you the real on everything Auburn Hoops.
War Eagle.
