Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford has decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and will return to the Tigers for the upcoming season. Pettiford, who played a crucial role in leading Auburn to the Final Four last season, cited the opportunity to improve his draft position as a key factor in his decision.
“I was happy to go through the process, getting feedback from NBA teams,” Pettiford said. “Going back to Auburn is a better situation for me. I see myself being a higher pick next year. It wasn’t 100% this year, so I didn’t want to take that chance. Being a short guard, it won’t be easy to play in the league, but I know I can do it. It’s maybe not the right time.”
Pettiford participated in the draft combine and worked out with six different NBA teams. Despite being projected as a late first-round pick, he opted to return to college, where he will benefit from a “robust” NIL package.
Last season, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points and three assists in nearly 23 minutes per game, earning a spot on the SEC’s All-Freshman Team. His return is a significant boost for Auburn, which has also added several notable transfers, including UCF forward Keyshawn Hall, Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy, and Texas Tech guard Kevin Overton. Additionally, the Tigers signed forward Filip Jovic from Serbia.
The first round of the NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25, with the deadline for players to withdraw and return to college set for Wednesday night.