Jaylin Williams waived by Denver Nuggets

The winningest player in Auburn history will still have the opportunity to land a G League contract with the Nuggets affiliate

Former Auburn star forward Jaylin Williams was waived by the Denver Nuggets on Monday. After signing a 10-day contract with the 2022 NBA Champions over the summer, Williams failed to garner much playing time in his team’s NBA Summer League games before not appearing in either of Denver’s preseason games this fall.

The winningest player in Auburn history will still have the opportunity to land a G League contract with the Nuggets affiliate, the Grand City Rapids, before the season begins in a few short weeks. Even if Denver declines to offer him a spot in the minor leagues, the 6-foot-8 forward is likely to receive a flier contract from another team in the G League, especially considering he was one of the better players in the SEC a season ago.

While Williams won’t immediately start his professional career in the NBA, he’ll have an experience advantage in the G League that could earn him another 10-day contract as teams look to find injury replacements throughout the long, 82-game, regular season. For now, Williams will look to land on a roster before the G League season kicks off a month from today, on November 8.

An Auburn Tiger for 5 years, Jaylin Williams finished his collegiate career averaging 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on the Plains. The 24-year-old had his best season a year ago, when he averaged 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds to help the Tigers earn a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

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

OKC Thunder players react to Team USA gold finish in 2024 Olympics

OKC Thunder players react to Team USA gold finish in 2024 Olympics.

For the fifth straight time, Team USA has won the gold medal. The 2024 Olympics concluded with USA’s 98-87 win over France in the men’s basketball tournament.

Stephen Curry led the way with 24 points and shot 8-of-13 from 3. LeBron James and Kevin Durant contributed with 29 combined points between two superstars.

The 11-point win capped off a dominant run by the USA. It went a perfect 6-0 during the Olympics and was the clearcut top squad. A deep roster filled with All-Star players made it the heavy favorite.

A couple of Oklahoma City Thunder players celebrated the USA’s win. Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams shared their reactions on social media. There’s a decent chance the former is invited to join the squad in 2028.

In four years, there’s a decent shot that several Thunder players will be part of the Olympics in LA. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have strong cases to be on the USA’s squad while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort should be invited back to Canada’s roster.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Tiger Jaylin Williams signs 10-Day contract with Nuggets

The new deal for Williams comes just a few weeks after he averaged 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.8 minutes in the 2024 NBA Summer League

Former Auburn star forward [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] agreed to terns on a 10-Day contract with the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The 24-year-old was one of three players Denver offered 10-Days to, joining Temple alumni Jahmir Young and former Grand Canyon star Gabe McGlothan as trial players on the Nuggets.

The new deal for Williams comes just a few weeks after he averaged 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.8 minutes in the 2024 NBA Summer League. While he isn’t likely to receive many minutes with the big league roster, the winningest player in Auburn basketball history now has the chance to impress the Denver coaching staff in hopes of receiving a more permanent contract in the near future.

An un-drafted free agent in 2024, Williams averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists during his Tigers career. The 6-foot-8 forward became a focal point of head coach Bruce Pearl’s offense over the last few seasons on the Plains, and was a major reason the program has turned around.

He’ll now have the opportunity to prove himself at the NBA level with the Nuggets. Even if he cannot secure a longer deal, the former Tiger will at least have the chance to learn from the best big man in the Association, Nikola Jokic, during his time in Denver.

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

 

Bruce Pearl hoping for big leap from Chaney Johnson in year two

It seems Auburn’s head coach wants the former Division 2 star to be a focal point of his rotation this season.

Auburn basketball head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] has made it a priority to bring in lower level transfers to fill out his rotation since he took the job on the Plains years ago. One of those transfers, forward [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag], saw his role in the Tigers rotation increase over the course of the season last year.

Playing behind star forwards [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag], Johnson learned to thrive as a reserve. As Pearl put it, “”I thought Chaney had just a great year last year coming up from Division Two and coming all the way up to high-major basketball.” With Williams now gone, Johnson should see an even bigger role in 2024-2025.

Speaking with the media, Pearl mentioned how he expects this season to be a “big adjustment” for the 6-foot-7 forward, alluding to Johnson potentially entering the starting lineup on a nightly basis. The junior did start two contests last season, but is not a lock for extended minutes with a crowded front court featuring the aforementioned Broome, Dylan Cardwell, Chris Moore, and SMU transfer Ja’Heim Hudson.

Still, Pearl has continuously praised the junior forward for his work ethic, discipline, and pure athleticism. From all indications, it seems Auburn’s head coach wants the former Division II star to be a focal point of his rotation, although he mentioned “it’s way too early to know who’s going to get the ball.”

If Johnson were to earn an increased run this season, he would surely improve on his offensive averages of 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest in 2023-2024. We’ll get a better idea of how Bruce Pearl will shape his rotation as the fall nears.

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

Jaylin Williams signs undrafted free agent contract with Denver Nuggets

Williams is ready to take the next step of his basketball career by earning an invite to Nuggets’ camp.

Auburn basketball can now add another member to its growing list of NBA talent.

[autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag], who played forward for the Tigers for five seasons, has signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Denver Nuggets following the conclusion of the 2024 NBA draft.

According to Justin Hokanson of Auburn Live, Williams’ contract with Denver is an “exhibit 10” contract. Williams will have the chance to compete in the Nuggets’ training camp with the possibility of earning a two-way contract with the team. The contract serves a minimum of one season, with most of the contract not being guaranteed.

Williams is the first former Tiger to earn a chance to play at the professional level since [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag], who were both drafted in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft.

He leaves Auburn as the program’s winningest player with 114 career wins since 2019. In five seasons, Williams averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

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

Jaylin Williams among top 100 prospects ahead of NBA draft

Williams looks to become the next Auburn player to join the NBA ranks.

Under [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s direction, it has become common practice for Auburn basketball to produce NBA talent.

Pearl has produced six NBA draft picks since taking over the program in 2014, most recently sending [autotag]Jabari Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Walker Kessler[/autotag] to the association as first-round picks in 2022. The next Auburn-made NBA product could be forward Jaylin Williams.

Williams had an impressive Auburn career which saw him average 10-plus points per game in four of his five seasons on the Plains. Now, he is ready to take the next step in his career by joining the NBA ranks.

Ahead of next week’s NBA draft, [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] ranks No. 78 in On3’s top 100 prospects list. NBA Scouting Live feels that Williams could be a threat on both sides of the basketball.

Auburn’s Jaylin Williams is a versatile scorer that can make plays on both sides of the ball. He has a variety of skills but can tend to fade into the background too much at times, but he is a skilled forward that could end up being a second round pick in the 2024 draft.

Williams ends his collegiate career as Auburn’s all-time winningest player with over 110 wins. In five seasons at Auburn, Williams averaged 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game over 141 games. He looks to join the likes of [autotag]Isaac Okoro[/autotag] and [autotag]JT Thor[/autotag] by becoming another former Tiger on an active NBA roster.

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

Jersey numbers revealed for Auburn basketball’s 2024-25 additions

Check out which jersey number Auburn’s new roster additions will be wearing next season.

Next season, Auburn will be flaunting a new-look roster following the departures of players such as [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag], [autotag]KD Johnson[/autotag], and [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag]. Several key players including [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] return while [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] join the program.

Auburn basketball recently revealed the jersey numbers for several incoming players and a number change for a returning contributor. Guard Denver Jones will switch numbers from No. 12 to No. 2 this season, taking over the number previously worn by Auburn’s all-time winningest player, Jaylin Williams. During his first season on the Plains, Jones started in 33 games while averaging 9.1 points per game and recording 25 steals in 35 games.

Auburn’s lone transfer to this point, All-SoCon guard JP Pegues, will wear No. 1, taking the place of former guard and Alabama transfer Aden Holloway. The Nashville native earned all SoCon honors by scoring 18.4 points and recording 4.8 assists per game as a junior at Furman.

Next is Auburn’s top signee, Tahaad Pettiford. Pettiford signed with Auburn as a five-star composite guard from Jersey City, New Jersey. He is the nation’s No. 2 point guard from the 2025 cycle and was the No. 3 player from New Jersey. He will wear No. 0, previously worn by KD Johnson.

The final notable jersey number reveal is for [autotag]Jahki Howard[/autotag], the four-star forward who joined Pettiford in signing with Auburn as part of the 2024 class. Howard will wear No. 3 this season, previously worn by [autotag]Tre Donaldson[/autotag], who transferred to Michigan during the offseason.

Outside of Auburn’s known departures, Matt Cohen of AL.com reports that former walk-on Carter Sobera will not return to the team for the 2024-25 season. Sobera is known for being awarded a scholarship last season. His Auburn career ends with 0.1 points, 0.4 rebounds, and a 33% field goal percentage over three seasons.

The 2024-25 roster update has not been finalized as Auburn is still welcoming potential transfers for visits including former Texas forward Dillon Mitchell.

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

Williams, Joe get best of Gafford as Thunder hammer Mavericks in NBA Playoffs

Game, Blouses. Jaylin and Isaiah’s OKC bunch had little trouble with Gafford’s Mavs in Game 1.

Former Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams scored 11 points and nine rebounds. Former Arkansas guard Isaiah Joe scored six points on two 3-pointers. And ex-Razorbacks center Daniel Gafford notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

More importantly for all three, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of their Western Conference second-round series on Tuesday.

Williams, Joe and Gafford headline what remains of an Arkansas contingent in the NBA playoffs. Bucks guard Patrick Beverley and Bucks forward Bobby Portis – both former Razorbacks players, as well – were likely the most famous duo. But Bevereley was frustrated as Eastern Conference’s No. 3-seed was knocked out in the first round.

The Thunder are having no such trouble as the West’s No. 1. They have yet to lose in the 2024-25 playoffs, sweeping New Orleans in the first round and handling Dallas with ease in the opener.

Mavericks star Luka Doncic shot just 6 of 19 from the floor and scored 19 points in the loss. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, his counterpart on the other side of the court, scored 29.

Game 2 between the teams is set for Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

Samford transfer Achor Achor schedules official visit to Auburn

The forward earned All-SoCon honors after scoring 16.1 points and securing 6.1 rebounds per game.

Auburn basketball made a splash by landing All-SoCon guard JP Pegues from the transfer portal to fill its need for a guard. [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] and his staff are now trying to add the SoCon’s top forward.

The Samford Bulldogs enjoyed a special 2023-24 season with a perfect 18-0 home record, a SoCon championship, and a first-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament that resulted in a controversial loss to Kansas.

Forward [autotag]Achor Achor[/autotag] was a key reason for the Bulldogs’ success last season by leading the team with 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. His season performance landed him on the All-SoCon team alongside Auburn transfer [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag]. Following the season, Achor entered the transfer portal and has garnered interest from several schools including Auburn. According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Achor will be on campus this week for an official visit.

Auburn continues its hunt to find a suitable replacement for [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag] after striking out on two targets last week. Former Clemson forward [autotag]RJ Godfrey[/autotag] was supposed to visit last week but canceled in favor of committing to Georgia. Montgomery native [autotag]Duke Miles[/autotag] did show up for an official visit to Auburn last week, but the former High Point product ultimately chose Oklahoma over the Tigers.

Achor would be a solid addition to Auburn’s rotation due to his experience and size. His 6-9 stature, mixing in his knowledge with players such as [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Moore[/autotag] will aid the development of newcomers [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] and [autotag]Jahki Howard[/autotag].

As a transfer, Achor is ranked as a four-star forward by 247Sports and is the No. 36 overall power forward in the transfer portal.

Former Clemson forward RJ Godfrey to visit Auburn this week

Godfrey shot 42% from three-point territory as a sophomore at Clemson.

Auburn basketball’s 2024-25 roster will be filled with talent. Auburn has added transfer [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] to mesh with freshman guards [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] and [autotag]Jakhi Howard[/autotag]. It also helps that star [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and key contributors [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Moore[/autotag], and [autotag]Dylan Cardwell[/autotag] are set to return.

Auburn is still looking to fill a need at forward and will try to secure the missing piece this week by hosting former Clemson forward [autotag]RJ Godfrey[/autotag].

According to a report by Auburn Undercover, former Clemson forward RJ Godfrey will visit the Plains on Tuesday, April 30. The visit will be Godfrey’s third since entering the transfer portal. He has also taken in visits to Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.

Godfrey was a solid contributor off the bench for Clemson over the last two seasons. In 69 total games, he averaged 4.7 points while shooting 59% from the field and 38% from the three-point territory. He secured 2.8 rebounds while assisting with 39 shots and recording 25 steals.

At the time of this post, Auburn has three returning forwards on its roster: Chaney Johnson, Chris Moore, and [autotag]Addarin Scott[/autotag]. The key void that Auburn will look to fill this offseason will be the spot left behind by [autotag]Jaylin Williams[/autotag]. Williams exits Auburn’s roster after a great career that saw him score 9.3 points per game with 3.9 rebounds and a 78% free throw percentage.