Breaking: 4-Star Sensation Kaden Magwood Recommits to Auburn and Withdraws from the 2025 NBA Draft, Stunting Fans! Refuses Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama

In a move that stunned fans, scouts, and even rival coaches across the college basketball landscape, 4-star sensation Kaden Magwood has announced that he is recommitting to the Auburn Tigers and withdrawing his name from the 2025 NBA Draft. The decision sends shockwaves through the SEC and beyond, especially given that Magwood spurned powerhouse programs like Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama in the process.

Magwood, a 6-foot-4 dynamic guard out of Louisville, Kentucky, had been the subject of intense national attention ever since he decommitted from Auburn earlier in the year and declared for the NBA Draft. The expectation from many insiders was that the talented, high-octane scorer was ready to make the jump. His game had matured dramatically over the last 12 months. He’d sharpened his decision-making, improved his frame, and lit up various pro day workouts with his combination of explosive athleticism and a deadly outside shot. NBA executives reportedly had him projected as a late first- to early second-round pick. Yet despite all signs pointing toward a professional future, Magwood has decided that unfinished business awaits him on The Plains.

Fans are understandably shocked—and more than a few are thrilled. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, who has built a strong pipeline of NBA-ready talent in recent years, must be feeling like he just landed a top-10 recruit all over again. Magwood’s return not only stabilizes the Tigers’ backcourt, but it also signals to other top-tier prospects that Auburn is once again a destination where elite talent comes to flourish. Pearl’s reaction was brief but telling: “We’re just getting started.”

What makes this story even more compelling is who Magwood said no to. The Kentucky Wildcats, coached by Mark Pope in his first full recruiting cycle after John Calipari’s departure, made an aggressive push for the in-state guard. Pope traveled to see Magwood three times in recent months, including an in-home visit that featured Kentucky legend Tony Delk. Kentucky’s pitch was simple: come home and lead the revival. But Magwood, despite growing up just an hour from Lexington, turned them down cold.

Tennessee, under Rick Barnes, also made a late push. The Vols sold Magwood on the idea of playing alongside returning All-American Zakai Zeigler and operating in a system that’s heavy on structure but increasingly open to individual playmaking. Barnes had even made it clear that Magwood would have the green light from day one. Alabama, meanwhile, rolled out the NIL red carpet. With Nate Oats securing one of the top incoming transfer classes in the country and a reputation for grooming NBA-ready guards, Alabama was considered the favorite among Magwood’s suitors as recently as two weeks ago. That is, until Magwood shocked everyone by rekindling his commitment to Auburn.

Sources close to the situation suggest that Magwood’s decision wasn’t made overnight. After working out with several NBA teams during the draft evaluation period, he received feedback that, while largely positive, hinted he could benefit from another year in college. Some teams expressed concern over his midrange game and defensive consistency. There were also whispers that Magwood wasn’t ready for the grind of an 82-game season. For a player with as much upside as Magwood, returning to school for one more season makes sense strategically—but recommitting to Auburn, the program he previously walked away from, took courage and introspection.

Behind the scenes, relationships appear to have played a major role. Bruce Pearl’s unwavering belief in Magwood reportedly stood out. After the decommitment, Pearl continued to reach out without pressuring the young guard. Instead of pushing to win him back immediately, the Auburn staff maintained open lines of communication, checked in regularly, and showed up to Magwood’s postseason games without fanfare. That long game may have paid off.

Equally critical was Magwood’s connection with the Auburn community. His earlier visits left a lasting impression. The campus, the coaching staff, the camaraderie among the players—all resonated with him deeply. According to one Auburn staffer, “He told us that it just felt right here. He had a chance to see the business side of basketball during this draft process, and it made him appreciate the authenticity of what we built together.”

Auburn’s NIL efforts likely helped, too. While not the highest bidder in the race for Magwood’s signature—Alabama reportedly offered a deal in the seven-figure range—the Tigers are believed to have crafted a competitive and sustainable NIL package emphasizing long-term brand development. Magwood is expected to become one of the most recognizable names in SEC basketball next season, and Auburn is banking on him becoming the face of its program.

For Auburn fans, this announcement comes as a shot of adrenaline during a time when the program is looking to rebound from an underwhelming 2024–25 season that ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers were lacking a true alpha guard last season, and Magwood brings precisely that. He’s a confident ball-handler, a three-level scorer, and someone unafraid of the spotlight. His style of play is electric—equal parts finesse and power—and he has a flair for the dramatic that makes him a natural crowd favorite.

Opposing fanbases, especially those in Kentucky and Alabama, have had less flattering responses. Social media exploded within minutes of the announcement, with Kentucky fans venting their frustration over losing yet another in-state blue-chip to an SEC rival. Some questioned Magwood’s loyalty; others simply lamented the state of Kentucky’s recruiting in the post-Calipari era. Alabama fans, on the other hand, seemed more stunned than bitter. One message board dubbed it “The Pearl Snatch,” referring to Bruce Pearl swooping in at the last minute to steal a player from Nate Oats’ clutches.

Tennessee fans were perhaps the quietest, though there was clear disappointment from a fanbase that’s been on the edge of breaking through to the Final Four for several seasons now. Magwood would’ve elevated a strong core group and provided a second elite shot-creator alongside Zeigler. Instead, they’ll now have to game-plan against him in SEC play.

With Magwood returning, Auburn’s ceiling rises dramatically. The Tigers already had a solid recruiting class coming in, and now they return a proven, high-motor guard who can command the offense and get a bucket when it matters most. Auburn’s perimeter play, which was often inconsistent last season, immediately becomes a strength. And with Magwood likely assuming a leadership role, the team’s chemistry and direction appear well-positioned for a deep March run.

The announcement also highlights a broader trend across college basketball: the increasing number of high-level players choosing to delay the NBA and instead double down on their collegiate legacy. With NIL money, the stakes have changed. Players like Magwood no longer feel compelled to rush into professional waters simply for a payday. They can build their brands, enjoy the college experience, and still make a financial impact—all while improving their draft stock under the bright lights of nationally televised games.

Magwood’s choice is about more than just basketball. It’s about legacy, about loyalty, and about learning from past decisions. His decision to decommit from Auburn once was viewed as a stepping stone toward professional life. His decision to return may ultimately be the step that prepares him best for it.

If there’s one thing Auburn fans know, it’s that Bruce Pearl thrives on redemption stories. Kaden Magwood’s recommitment isn’t just a redemption arc—it’s a declaration. The Tigers are coming. And with their four-star guard back in the fold, they just became one of the most intriguing teams in the country.

The rest of the SEC has been put on notice. Kaden Magwood is back. Auburn is back. And neither seems interested in playing it safe.

How this saga unfolds next will be closely watched. NBA scouts will monitor how Magwood handles the weight of expectation, how he performs under pressure, and whether he evolves into the lottery pick many once projected. But one thing is clear: Kaden Magwood isn’t afraid to take the hard road if it means finding the right fit. In choosing Auburn again, he didn’t just make a basketball decision—he made a statement.

It’s rare to see a player with so many options choose to go against the grain. Rarer still is someone with this level of talent deciding that loyalty, belief, and a second chance mean more than a quick jump to the next level. In an era of transactional relationships and one-and-done decisions, Kaden Magwood is embracing the long game.