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Steven Pearl reveals Tahaad Pettiford, Keyshawn Hall will remain with Auburn after coaching change

Danby: Daniel Hager22 hours agoDanielHagerOn3
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© Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl officially announced his retirement from the sport of college basketball two weeks ago. His son, Steven Pearl, has been named his father’s successor and will lead the program into the next era.

While it wasn’t expected, program cornerstones Tahaad Pettiford and Keyshawn Hall will officially NOT enter the Transfer Portal and will play the 2025-26 season at Auburn under the new head coach, Pearl revealed on Wednesday.

Great news for a program coming off their second Final Four appearance in program history.

Pettiford put his name into the NBA Draft waters this offseason, but withdrew and announced that he’d return to school under Bruce Pearl. The decision excited Auburn fans and college basketball fans that wanted to see his development as a player, because he impressed many onlookers at the NBA Draft Combine. His 42-inch vertical jump was the second-best of the combine. Then, in a scrimmage, he scored 23 points with eight assists. There was plenty of buzz around him, he still returned to Auburn for another run.

This decision came following a sensational freshman season with Auburn. He played in 38 games, getting one start, and averaged 22.9 minutes per game as a key player for the Tigers. Pettiford finished the season averaging 11.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. He did that while shooting 42.1 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three-point range, and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line. Then, on the defensive end, he averaged 0.2 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.

Pettiford and Hall withdrew from NBA Draft this offseason to return

He was arrested this offseason on DUI charges in Lee County, AL, but it will not affect his status for this upcoming season. “I’m committed to learning from this moment and making meaningful, positive changes in my life,” he said in a statement following the arrest. “I’m grateful for the support and accountability of those around me, and I will work to earn back the trust I’ve lost.”

Keyshawn Hall also put his name into the NBA Draft waters, but withdrew just as Pettiford did. He spent last season at UCF, where he averaged a conference-high 18.8 points, along with 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He shot 42.7% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc.

Hall was the No. 27 overall player and No. 2 small forward in On3’s 2025 Transfer Portal Player Rankings. He chose Auburn over Kentucky, Kansas and Arkansas in the transfer portal.

“The visit was great. It’s one of the best visits I’ve ever had,” Hall told Auburn Live. “It’s like a family environment. Even though I’m already committed, they made me want to commit even more. I enjoyed it. The campus was like a real college town and they all know you. When I was on the golf cart, they were saying ‘War Eagle!’ and stuff like that. It felt good.”

Along with Pettiford and Hall, no other players are expected to enter the Portal. Auburn opens its regular season at home against Bethune-Cookman on Aug. 3.