Tag: Aden Holloway

Bruce Pearl hints at Auburn’s 2024 rotation

Auburn will have a very different looking rotation this season.

Auburn men’s basketball coach [autotag]Bruce Pear[/autotag]l addressed the media via Zoom on Friday. With fall camp fast approaching, Pearl pointed out four key areas where the Tigers need to make up for lost production from last season.

“We gotta replace [autotag]Wendell Green[/autotag], we gotta replace [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag], we gotta replace [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag], and we gotta replace whoever backed up [autotag]Jaylin Williams [/autotag] last year.”

Pearl mentioned freshmen guard [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] as the likely replacement for Green.

He called Holloway “a combination of a lot of the guards [Auburn] has had in the past.” Holloway was a McDonald’s All-American in 2022, leading his team to a 36-1 record while averaging 18.5 points, 5.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game as a senior.

Auburn’s head coach is high on the former five-star recruit, likening his work ethic to that of former Auburn first-round picks [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag], and [autotag]Isaac Okoro[/autotag].

The starting point guard spot is Holloway’s to lose, although Pearl did mention [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag] as a player who will see some minutes and push Holloway to be better.

Pearl’s next test will be replacing defensive wizard [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag]. While the loss of Jasper will hurt the Tigers defensively, Pearl did note the potential for the team to improve scoring the basketball, where he is opting to give transfer guard [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] a run in the starting five over fan-favorite [autotag]K.D Johnson,[/autotag] at least for now, due to his high-volume scoring ability.

“Denver Jones could be a candidate for one of our top two or three scorers.”

It’s hard to argue with that statement, Jones was absolutely lethal as a scorer last season. The sophomore guard was one of only 26 players in Division 1 to average at least 20.0 points per game in 2022, helping him become the first-ever FIU Panther to win Conference USA first-team all-conference honors.

Pearl was a little more ambiguous when discussing how he would deploy his front-court options.

He did take time to praise JUCO transfer [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] and Division 2 transfer [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag], calling Baker-Mazara “really good,” while citing his accomplishments at Northwest Florida State College and San Diego State.

The issue with Baker-Mazara is his size, where he measures 6 feet 7 inches but weighs only 190 pounds. That body type does not bode well for a healthy season, especially in the physical SEC.

As for Johnson, Pearl called him “one of the best athletes on our team,” citing his ability to shoot, guard multiple positions, and dribble the basketball.

Of course, returning Tigers [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Dylan Cardwell [/autotag] will see ample minutes in the front court as well.

Pearl still has plenty of time to figure out his final rotation ahead of Auburn’s season opener against Baylor on Nov. 7, but it seems like he at least has an idea of how he would like to deploy his roster ahead of this season.

Fall camp performances and injuries will surely change some things too.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

Wendell Green works out with NBA team

Auburn’s point guard is taking steps towards another chapter in his playing career.

After hearing the news of [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] returning to Auburn basketball after testing the NBA draft waters, most Tiger fans began to wonder what would be next for point guard [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag]

On Friday, that question was answered.

Bryan Lewis of the New York Post tweeted that Green had worked out with the Houston Rockets on Friday. Green confirmed the report by posting a photo of a Rockets practice jersey with the caption “Blessed!”

The workout with the Rockets will seal Green’s career with Auburn. He ends his career on the Plains by averaging 12.9 points per contest with an average of 3.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Now that Green has officially departed the program, expect true freshman [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] and sophomore [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag] to control the point next season for the Tigers. Get a full rundown of Auburn’s projected rotation by clicking here.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1365]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

What led Bruce Pearl to pursue junior college product Chad Baker-Mazara?

Pearl is excited to add someone like Baker-Mazara, who has “won everywhere he’s been.”

Former San Diego State Aztec and North Florida State College guard/forward [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] is one of the transfers that Auburn has added this offseason.

In an article from the Montgomery Advertiser, Richard Silva breaks down what led head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] to pursue Baker-Mazara in the first place.

“Very excited about Chad,” Pearl told the Montgomery Advertiser. “In his sophomore year, San Diego State versus Creighton, he had like (15) in the first half against Creighton in an NCAA Tournament game. He’s got skills. He’s got feel. He’s got real ability. He’s won every place he’s been. He’s played for great coaches and even though he’s wound up leaving for a variety of reasons, all the coaches that we backtracked with had nothing but really good things to say about him.”

Baker-Mazara could fill the role in the starting lineup left behind by [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag], who announced earlier this week that he would be transferring to Ole Miss.

“Let me tell you something, right now we’ve got 11 guys on scholarship, I believe,” Pearl said. “It’s a competition at every position.”

Auburn added four players to its roster for the 2023-24 season. Joining Baker-Mazara as new additions include FIU transfer [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] and UAH transfer [autotag]Cheney Johnson[/autotag]. [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag], a McDonald’s All-American and five-star product, is expected to make an impact this season as well.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Daniel on Twitter @DanielJLocke

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1365]

Denver Jones ranks high on CBS Sports’ transfer portal rankings

The FIU transfer is expected to make an immediate impact in his first season on the Plains.

The Auburn Tigers are shaping up to have another great season in 2023-24.

The Tigers roster will have a steady mix of returning starters in [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], a stellar freshman in [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag], and three transfers that are poised to make an immediate impact.

One member of Auburn’s transfer portal class, [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag], is projected to be the starter at the two-guard position, taking the place of outgoing senior [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag]. The FIU transfer averaged 20 points and 3.8 rebounds for the Golden Panthers last season and made 47% of his shots. His production has led him to a high spot on CBS Sports college basketball top 50 transfer portal rankings, where he checks in at No. 19

David Cobb of CBS Sports says that Jones will enhance Auburn’s backcourt ahead of the new season.

Jones finished second in Conference USA in scoring at 20.1 points per game during his sophomore season on 37.1% 3-point shooting, 55.2% 2-point shooting and 84.5% free-throw shooting. The 6-4 guard reached the 20-point mark in 17 of 28 games this past season. He is the type of instant impact offensive player who can help make Auburn’s backcourt more efficient, provided that he embraces a role that will surely include fewer shots than he took at FIU.

Jones is expected to team up with Holloway at the guard position, while fellow transfers [autotag]Cheney Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] will aid the frontcourt.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Tyrin Lawrence reveals plans for 2023-24 season

After visiting Auburn in April, what is the next move for the Vanderbilt playmaker?

For a few days in late April, the most notable transfer portal target that Auburn had its sights on was Vanderbilt guard [autotag]Tyrin Lawrence[/autotag].

Lawrence had just come off an amazing season where he scored 13.1 points and averaged 4.4 rebounds per contest while making 50% of his shots, and felt that it would benefit him to test the waters of the transfer portal. He paid a visit to Auburn in late April, and Auburn received a prediction to earn his commitment. But, his name seemed to fade away like a vapor after a week of speculation that he would transfer to Auburn. Now that time has passed, Lawrence has officially decided where he wants to spend next season.

Lawrence announced Thursday that he will use his fourth season of eligibility to remain at Vanderbilt. Lawrence shared the news via Twitter, with a caption that reads: “Nashville, I’m back.”

Following his visit, Lawrence told Jason Caldwell of Auburn Undercover that he believed Auburn was a “perfect fit” for him. However, with the addition of McDonald’s All-American [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] and the return of [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag], it would be difficult to give all three players adequate time to run the point.

During the time of his visit, the idea of having Lawrence on the roster would have been a great move from a leadership and experience standpoint. But with the announcement of [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] all resending their intent to join the NBA draft pool, those qualities were no longer an area of need.

As it stands, Auburn has an adequate guard room with Holloway and Donaldson at the point, with FIU transfer [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag], and mainstays [autotag]K.D. Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Lior Berman[/autotag] holding down the two position.

Check out Auburn’s projected rotation for all positions here.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Auburn lands JUCO wing Chad Baker-Mazara

He shot 46.9% from 3-point range last season.

[autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] and the Auburn Tigers have spent all offseason looking for a wing to complete their roster overhaul. On Thursday night they finally pulled it off by landing junior college transfer [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag].

The 6-foot-7 shooter spent last season at Northwest Florida after spending one season at Duquesne and San Diego State to start his career. He will have two seasons of eligibility once he arrives on the Plains.

Baker-Mazara averaged 15.2 points per game and shot 46.9% (67-143) from deep on 4.5 attempts per game in his one season at Northwest Florida. He also made 83.5% of his free throws.

That was coming off an impressive season for San Diego State where he was named the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year. He averaged 6.4 points and shot 39.3% from 3-point range in just 12.8 minutes of action per game.

The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native appeared in 15 games his freshman season at Duquesne, making 13 starts. Baker-Mazara averaged 9.5 points and 2.9 rebounds while making 41.7% of his shots from beyond the arc.

He is the fourth addition Auburn has made this offseason, joining transfers [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] (FIU) and [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag] (UAH) and five-star freshman [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag].

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1365]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15

Aden Holloway earns fifth star, becomes second highest rated recruit in program history

Jabari Smith… you have company.

[autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] has earned his fifth star according to 247Sports. This is the fourth recruiting class in a row where [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] and company have landed a five-star recruit and the fourth time in program history. The nine highest-rated recruits in program history have all been signed during Pearl’s tenure.

Holloway has a composite rating of 0.9931 according to 247Sports, following only [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] who had a 0.9980 composite rating.

The Napa, California native attends Prolific Prep and is the No. 17-ranked player in the class of 2024, the No. three-ranked point guard and the No. 2 player in the state of California.

The 6-foot, 155-pounder was invited to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game where he had the chance to show off his skills on a national stage.

Holloway will join [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Chaney Johnson [/autotag] as new additions to the Auburn roster in 2023.

Jones is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard transfer from FIU and Johnson is a 6-foot-7 forward transfer from UAH.

Auburn is putting together a roster that will have its eyes set on making another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Daniel on Twitter @DanielJLocke

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]

Bruce Pearl shares update regarding Allen Flanigan’s future with the program

Auburn has seen plenty of roster movement this offseason. What is the next more for Flanigan?

There has been plenty of movement within Auburn’s roster since the 2022-23 season concluded in March. However, the most interesting of all cases is that of senior guard [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag].

Flanigan’s future at Auburn has been the center of much speculation since the departure of his father, [autotag]Wes Flanigan[/autotag], to Ole Miss. Will Flanigan transfer? Will he hang around? In an effort to provide clarity, head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] shed light on the situation Tuesday.

At the “AMBUSH” event that was held in Atlanta on Tuesday, Pearl says that Flanigan will make a decision regarding his future once he graduates this summer. Most of that stems from his past entries into the NBA draft.

“In Al’s case, he’s already declared twice,” Pearl said Tuesday. “You can’t declare a third time. If you do, you have to stay in the draft, so there’s no reason for him to declare anything.”

Flanigan tested the NBA draft waters in 2021 and 2022, which means that he would forfeit his remaining season of college eligibility if he declared a third time. So, if Flanigan wants to continue his collegiate career, he would either need to enter the transfer portal or return to Auburn for his final season.

Auburn has already seen the loss of four players to the transfer portal and has the possibility to lose four others in [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], and [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag] to the NBA.

Pearl has also added freshman [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag], and transfers [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Cheney Johnson[/autotag]. Pearl also says that he hopes to take one or two more players from the transfer portal.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1365]

Auburn lands former UAH wing Chaney Johnson

The reigning Gulf South Conference Player of the Year is now an Auburn Tiger.

The news cycle regarding Auburn basketball has been wild over the last several days with coaching hires, de-commitments, and other roster moves.

On Friday, the Tigers received a bit of good news as former Alabama-Huntsville wing [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag] announced his commitment to Auburn during a recent visit to the Plains.

Johnson had an impressive three-year career with the Chargers, where he averaged 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Last season, Johnson was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year after scoring 15.9 points per game, making 51% of his shots. He also reached a career-high in rebounds by pulling down 6.6 per game.

Johnson is a native of Alabaster but has family that lives in nearby Alexander City. He says that the proximity to his loved ones played a role in his commitment.

“I feel like Auburn is the place for me,” Johnson said in an interview with Auburn Undercover following his commitment. “It means a lot being a lot closer to my family and being a lot closer to my grandma in Alexander City. Going to school at UAH, I’m coming from the North to the South. To come see my grandma was a three-and-a-half-hour drive. Now I’m closer to be able to see her. I’m closer to a lot of my family and a lot of them on my mom’s side are big Auburn fans.”

The downfall to Johnson’s commitment is that he grew up supporting Auburn’s archrival, Alabama. Hopefully, it is something that he can move past.

“Coach Pearl tried to get me to say War Eagle and I couldn’t say it, even after I committed,” Johnson said. “I’ll get used to it eventually.”

Johnson becomes the second guard to commit to Auburn from the transfer portal, joining [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag]. Auburn now has four guards that will see action next season. In addition to Jones and Johnson, Auburn returns [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag] and will bring in [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag].

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Denver Jones listed among college basketball’s best transfer pickups

Bruce Pearl got a steal when he landed former FIU guard Denver Jones from the transfer portal.

Auburn basketball is off to a hot start by filling its need for guards.

The departure of [autotag]Zep Jasper[/autotag] and the potential of [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag] heading to the NBA has left [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] looking for players to complement [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag] in Auburn’s backcourt. So far, he has done so with freshman [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] and transfer [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag].

Jones signed with Auburn earlier this month after leading FIU in points by scoring 20.1 points per contest last season. Now that he has found a new home, Jones is now part of a respectable list.

College Basketball Review recently shared a top-20 list that highlighted college basketball’s best pickups from the transfer portal. Jones is No. 11 on the list.

Jones’ team was one vowel off from going to the Final Four, and now FIU loses its best player to the transfer portal.

After an impressive freshman season where Jones averaged 12.5 points per game with the Panthers, he decided to stay another year instead of leaving right away.

It clearly paid off, because Jones averaged 20.1 points per game as a sophomore, leading Conference USA in scoring. He’s as efficient as a player in the transfer portal, shooting 37.1% from three and 55.2% from two last season.

Jones joins an Auburn team with a diminished backcourt. Starting point guard Wendell Green Jr. is off to the NBA Draft – one of six departures that also includes former 4-star recruit, Chance Westry.

The New Market native averaged double figures in two seasons at FIU. Last season, he made 47% of his shots from the field and has an excellent career free-throw percentage of 86.8%.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1365]