Despite coming off the bench for the majority of the 2024-25 college basketball season, Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford saw his draft stock rise significantly during the NCAA Tournament.
Through five March Madness games, the freshman averaged 15.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, helping Bruce Pearl and Auburn make it to the Final Four.
Pettiford declared for the 2025 NBA Draft shortly after his season ended, while maintaining his eligibility. But if he does elect to return to school, he has made it clear that he will only play for Pearl.
"If I return, it will be to Auburn," Pettiford said in an interview with ESPN. "I can't leave this type of situation. I trust BP with all my heart, so I will roll with him. Loyalty is important to me."
Bruce Pearl talks to Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford
Bruce Pearl talks to Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
On Monday, Pearl spoke on Pettiford's looming decision ahead of his Fore the Children golf fundraiser. He mentioned that the freshman has a "chance to come back."
"Tahaad's got a chance to come back," Pearl said. "We'll probably know in about a week's time, maybe eight or nine days, about what's going to happen there. Again, he's still in the same position he's been in the whole time."
The Tigers' head coach proceeded to hint that a first-round pick guarantee could keep Pettiford in the draft.
"And that is if he can get in the first round, he's gonna go," Pearl added. "And if he can get in the first round, he should go. If he doesn't feel and his folks don't feel like he is gonna be in there in the 20s somewhere, then he'll come back."
Finally, Pearl commented that Pettiford would be placed in a starting role if he returns.
"If he does come back, he's going to have to play an expanded role, which I know is something that is exciting to him and probably exciting to our fan base, too, because we'll get to see more of him," Pearl continued. "He'll be a starter. There will be more on him."
Pettiford will have until the May 28 NCAA withdrawal deadline to make his decision.