Tag: JP Pegues

Bruce Pearl shares thoughts on Aden Holloway’s transfer to Alabama

Pearl finally discusses Holloway’s move to Tuscaloosa two months after the announcement.

It has been two months since former Auburn guard [autotag]Aden Holloway[/autotag] made a surprising move by transferring to arch-rival Alabama following his freshman season on the Plains.

Now, [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] is sharing his thoughts on the move.

The Auburn head man spoke with reporters this week about an array of topics, including Holloway’s transfer to Alabama. Pearl did not share his personal thoughts on the move, but instead focused on what the move could mean for the rivalry.

“It would be like if Auburn’s quarterback went to play quarterback for Alabama,” Pearl said. “What do you think that would do for the Iron Bowl? It would make it more interesting and continue to add to the rivalry.”

Holloway’s debut season in Auburn did not go as planned, as he managed to shoot 31% from the field while adding 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game despite signing with Auburn as a key building block for its offense.

Following his move to Alabama, Holloway took a subtle shot at Pearl by claiming that he changed the offense during the season, causing a dip in production.

“At Auburn, I kind of got sold a dream by my coach (Bruce Pearl),” Holloway said. “The season started out good for me individually and as a team, and then he kind of went in a different direction (with) the offense.”

It will be interesting to see how Holloway develops under Nate Oates’ watch at Alabama as the Crimson Tide returns star guard Mark Sears for next season, and added five-star guard Labaron Philon from the high school ranks. As for Auburn, the Tigers welcome five-star guard [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag] to the Plains as a true freshman and former Furman star [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] to its guard rotation. Expect [autotag]Chaney Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] to see a larger role this season as well.

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How Miles Kelly’s pledge affects Auburn in On3’s way-too-early top-25 rankings

Auburn acquired wing help over the weekend by adding former Georgia Tech guard Miles Kelly from the transfer portal.

Auburn basketball filled another need over the weekend by adding former Georgia Tech guard [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] to its roster from the transfer portal.

Kelly is Auburn’s third transfer portal addition of the offseason, joining former Furman guard [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and former SMU forward [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag]. Kelly has averaged double-figures in points over the last two seasons at Georgia Tech and reached a career-high 5.5 rebounds last season.

Adding Kelly was important for Auburn, as the Tigers earned assistance on the wing. The commitment also impressed On3’s James Fletcher, who has placed Auburn at No. 8 in his “way-too-early top-25” ranking following Kelly’s pledge.

Auburn got a transfer portal commitment from Miles Kelly this week to sure up the wing scoring and provide help to the backcourt which includes veteran transfer JP Pegues.

Auburn will boast one of the most experienced rosters during the 2024-25 season, as 10 seniors will make up the roster including returning starters [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Moore[/autotag].

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Former Georgia Tech guard Miles Kelly commits to Auburn

As rosters begin to fill out for the 2024-25 college basketball season, Auburn lands another talent out of the transfer portal in Miles Kelly

Auburn basketball is continuing to work through the offseason, attempting to fill out its roster for the 2024-25 season. Some of that work is coming through the transfer portal, where the Tigers have made some significant moves.

Auburn was able to make another notable addition to its roster, as former Georgia Tech combo guard [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag] announced his commitment to the Plains on Sunday.

Kelly commits to the program after having entered the transfer portal on April 29. He spent the previous three years of his college career with the Yellow Jackets.

He started in all 32 games last season, shooting 36.9% from the field and 32.1% from 3-point range. He was the leading scorer with Georgia Tech last year, as well, dropping 13.9 points per game.

Earning an Honorable Mention for All-ACC honors in the 2023-24 campaign, Kelly’s experience fills out a highly veteran group for head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]. He will join transfers [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag] on the roster in Auburn.

With the addition, Kelly now fills out the Tigers’ 12th scholarship spot out of a possible 13, likely being the final addition for the team for next season.

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Auburn receives prediction for Georgia Tech transfer Miles Kelly

Kelly averaged 13.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season at Georgia Tech.

The transfer portal season in college basketball has been hectic since the offseason started, with big names from last season moving all around the country and shifting up rosters. Auburn is a team who is making big moves, and looking to make more.

One such hope that the Tigers have is to land Georgia Tech transfer [autotag]Miles Kelly[/autotag], who received a prediction to land on the Plains on Thursday by Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live.

Kelly entered the transfer portal on April 29 after spending the last three seasons of his college career with the Yellow Jackets.

He averaged 11.1 points per game over the course of his time with Georgia Tech. Kelly started all 32 games in the 2023-24 season and shot 36.9% from the field, including 32.1% from 3-point range. He also was a 78.6% free throw shooter in his three years.

The 6-6, 180-pound combo guard had a successful campaign on the boards last year, averaging 5.5 rebounds per game. He also shared the ball more than he had his whole career, racking up 59 assists for the Yellow Jackets.

Kelly was also awarded for his play last season, earning an Honorable Mention for All-ACC honors.

A commitment from Kelly would add to a portal class that already includes Furman transfer [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and SMU transfer [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag].

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Could Auburn’s 2024-25 nonconference slate be its toughest yet?

After suffering an early NCAA Tournament exit, Auburn is set to enhance its nonconference schedule for next season.

Auburn basketball played the 10th toughest schedule in the SEC last season. As a partial result, the Tigers exited the NCAA Tournament earlier than expected with a first-round loss to Yale.

Head coach [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] looks to put his team in a better position to win more meaningful games next season by piecing together what could be the Tigers’ toughest nonconference schedule in recent memory.

Before Monday’s Bruce Pearl Fore the Children Golf Classic at Willow Point Golf and Country Club in Alexander City, Pearl met with the media to discuss several topics including scheduling. Pearl says that Auburn fans can expect his team to play the toughest nonconference schedule of his 11-year Auburn tenure.

“We’re going to play a non-conference schedule, some of it has been released and some of it you guys have heard about, but that hasn’t been released yet…we’re going to have the toughest non-conference schedule we’ve ever had,” Pearl said Monday.

Auburn is scheduled to play in the Maui Invitational early next season which includes powers such as North Carolina, UConn, and Iowa State. Justin Hokanson of Auburn Live says that Auburn could also play Purdue, Houston, and NC State in neutral site action. Mixing those opponents in with an ACC foe as part of the ACC-SEC Challenge could provide Auburn with a solid resume heading into a revamped SEC schedule that includes newcomers Oklahoma and Texas.

Auburn finished the 2023-24 season with the No. 60 overall toughest schedule according to KenPom, which ranked No. 10 in the SEC. The Tigers played several power programs such as Notre Dame, Indiana, Virginia Tech, and USC in nonconference play last season. However, those four teams combined to build a 66-67 record with neither program finishing higher than No. 58 in the KenPom, nor providing Auburn with a quad 1 win.

The Tigers will look to build on its 2023-24 success by returning several notable players including [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag], and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] as well as newcomers [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag], [autotag]Tahaad Pettiford[/autotag], and [autotag]Ja’Heim Hudson[/autotag].

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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.

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UTSA Transfer Jordan Ivy-Curry lists Auburn in his final three

The senior guard is coming off a superb season for the Roadrunners by averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

Former UTSA guard [autotag]Jordan Ivy-Curry[/autotag] has listed Auburn as one of the three final programs he’ll be looking to transfer to next college basketball season. The Tigers join ACC program Wake Forest and recent Big 12 addition UCF as the three finalists on Ivy-Curry’s list. He is set to visit all three schools this week, with his trip to the Plains being the final stop on Thursday.

The senior guard is coming off a superb season for the Roadrunners averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. The offensive output was by far the best of his four-year college career, which started at UTSA before the La Marque, TX native took a one-year pit stop to play for Pacific.

Ivy-Curry was set to join the Virginia Tech Hokies shortly after he entered the transfer portal but decided to re-open his recruitment, giving Auburn a chance to snag another mid-major guard after missing out on Duke Miles to Oklahoma late last month.

If [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag] and the Tiger staff can land the electrifying guard, he would provide a nice complimentary piece to the newly acquired [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] and incumbent [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag]. We’ll see if he decides his future after his visits conclude later this week.

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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.

High Point transfer guard Duke Miles says Auburn ‘felt like home’ after recent visit

The Montgomery native is looking for a new home fresh off a magnificent junior season for the High Point Panthers.

After snagging Furman guard [autotag]JP Pegues[/autotag] from the transfer portal a few weeks ago, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl is looking to bring another highly-touted mid-major guard to the Plains.

Former High Point guard [autotag]Duke Miles[/autotag] is looking for a new home fresh off a magnificent junior season for the Panthers in which he averaged 17.5 points, and 3.6 assists on an impressive 52.8% from the field. The Montgomery, Alabama native recently visited Auburn and left with glowing reviews, saying the Loveliest Village on the Plains “felt like home.”

Miles seems ready to suit up in the orange and blue next season, stating it’s been a lifelong dream to play at Auburn. If it were mainly up to him the 6-foot-2 guard may have already committed to Auburn. However, Miles is not ready to make a final decision until consulting with his mom, who was absent from his recent visit. “My mom wasn’t here… That’s the only thing holding it up,” said the talented guard.

If the junior does join Auburn’s roster for next season, [autotag]Bruce Pearl[/autotag]’s 2024-25 guard rotation will instantly be among the best in the SEC and possibly the country. Along with the aforementioned Pegues, Tiger star [autotag]Chad Baker-Mazara[/autotag] and sharpshooter [autotag]Denver Jones[/autotag] are due for big roles on next year’s squad. A commitment from Miles would give coach Pearl two true point guards with him and Pegues, allowing Jones and Baker-Mazara to play more of the “off-ball playmaker” roles they thrive in.

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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.