After being passed over for an NCAA Tournament bid, Auburn basketball recently earned its first NIT championship, giving them something to celebrate. However, the NCAA Transfer Portal window for collegiate basketball opens on Tuesday, April 7, therefore roster construction for the 2026–27 season has already begun.
Over the next days, Auburn head coach Steven Pearl will meet with each underclassman to talk about their future with the school and the season. One player seems prepared to assist Auburn in making it back to the NCAA Tournament the next season, despite the uncertainty surrounding the futures of several other players.
Several players, notably guard Elyjah Freeman, who pulled down 14 rebounds for the Tigers in the NIT Championship victory, were questioned about their plans for the upcoming season following Auburn’s 92-86 overtime victory over Tulsa on Sunday. When asked about his status for the upcoming season, Freeman responded with two words, according to Justin Hokanson of Auburn Rivals.
“Locked in.”
Auburn is thrilled about Freeman’s potential comeback since his “team-first” philosophy contributed to the Tigers’ successful postseason run. Due in large part to his willingness to play bench minutes in return for freshman Sebastian Williams-Adams receiving starter minutes in many games this season, primarily in the middle of the season, Freeman played in all 38 games but only made 21 starts. The Lincoln Memorial transfer averaged 9.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game during his rookie campaign on the Plains.
Keyshawn Hall and Keshawn Murphy, two important players from Auburn’s 2026–27 team who recently finished their senior season, have their futures decided. But in the upcoming days, players like Kevin Overton, Tahaad Pettiford, Filip Jovic, and Kaden Magwood will have to make crucial choices.
The timeframe for the NCAA Transfer Portal will commence on Tuesday, April 7, and expire on Tuesday, April 21.
