Bruce Pearl’s Tigers had just wrapped up a rollercoaster of a season, with their journey ending at the hands of 1-seed Florida. And while they took care of business against the not-so-big fish earlier, missing star Johni Broome vs Gators really hurt them. Without him, they couldn’t get past a squad like Florida. And now along with Broome they might be losing another one to the NBA.
While we thought freshman Pettiford would be stepping into the spotlight with Broome out, he went ahead and declared for the draft too—while keeping his eligibility open. Not surprising, though. He balled out this season. One of the best freshmen in the country. But this whole test-the-draft-waters thing is practically tradition at Auburn now. Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell did the same dance—more than once. So don’t count Pettiford out of a return just yet.
You go show em Tahaad. I wouldn’t hesitate drafting you in the first round right now! If they don’t, you come back and we run it back! https://t.co/xl2LRWbxxs
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) April 7, 2025
And if you’re wondering where his coach stands—Bruce Pearl’s all in. He reposted the team’s Instagram and wrote, “You go show em Tahaad. I wouldn’t hesitate drafting you in the first round right now! If they don’t, you come back and we run it back!”
(This is a developing story)
The post Bruce Pearl Put 29 NBA Teams on Notice as Auburn HC Makes Intentions Clear About Next NCAA Season with Tahaad Pettiford appeared first on EssentiallySports.
