Mailbag 205: What Else Might Auburn Basketball Do in the Portal?

As the dust settles on the 2024–25 college basketball season, all eyes in the Auburn fanbase turn toward the offseason — not to rest, but to reload. For Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers, the transfer portal has become as important as any March Madness game, and this offseason is shaping up to be no different.

Welcome to Mailbag 205, where we tackle the burning question on everyone’s mind: What else might Auburn basketball do in the portal?

Context: Auburn’s Roster Reset

Let’s start by acknowledging the landscape. Auburn finished a solid season, landing in the NCAA Tournament and showing flashes of elite play. But postseason losses and early exits left fans and coaches with an unmistakable hunger. The Tigers are ready to chase more — but first, they need the horses.

Here’s what’s already happened:

Key Departures:

Chad Baker-Mazara (Guard/Wing): One of Auburn’s most versatile scorers, he’s hit the portal, leaving a gap in both leadership and offensive spark.
Denver Jones (Guard): Injuries and inconsistency cut his time short, and he’s testing his options elsewhere.
Stretch Akingbola and Babatunde Akingbola: Graduation and portal moves have cleared some space in the frontcourt rotation.

Returning Players:

Aden Holloway (PG): The floor general. Inconsistent at times last season, but brimming with potential.
Tre Donaldson (PG/SG): Defensive pit bull and explosive finisher. A critical piece of the backcourt puzzle.
Johni Broome (C) – Awaiting NBA Draft decisions, but if he returns, Auburn has a true anchor in the paint.

Portal Additions So Far

Bruce Pearl and his staff have already hit the portal with purpose. As of late April 2025, the Tigers have added:

Kevin Overton (SG, from Texas Tech)

Profile: 6’5″ combo guard with athleticism and elite shot creation.
Impact: Immediate help on the wing, especially with Baker-Mazara gone.

KeShawn Murphy (PF, from Mississippi State)

Profile: 6’10” stretch-four with shot-blocking ability.
Impact: Will compete for a starting role; gives Pearl a modern big who can space the floor.

Keyshawn Hall (SF, from UCF)

Profile: 6’7″, 230 lbs — built like a linebacker, plays like a point forward.
Impact: One of the more underrated pickups in the country. Expect him to be in the top six rotation immediately.

Elyjah Freeman (SF, from Lincoln Memorial)

Profile: Athletic, raw wing from Division II powerhouse.
Impact: A developmental piece with high upside. Might redshirt or play limited minutes early.

So… What’s Next?

Even with four solid transfers added, Auburn is likely not done yet. Here’s where things stand by position, and where another move or two could make all the difference:

1. The Frontcourt: One More Big Man

Even if Johni Broome returns, Auburn still needs another high-level big man — someone who can guard the post, rebound, and ideally stretch the floor a bit. Why?

If Broome leaves, you’re left with Murphy, Dylan Cardwell (if he returns), and limited depth.
Even with Broome, having another reliable forward/center gives Auburn the kind of frontcourt flexibility that elite SEC teams possess.

Names to Watch in the Portal:

Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers): Big-time shot blocker. Currently exploring pro options.
Isaiah Miranda (Louisville): Former blue-chip prospect with untapped potential.
Trevon Brazile (Arkansas): Entered the portal after an injury-plagued season. A flyer, but if healthy — scary upside.

2. The Backcourt: A Proven Bucket Getter

With Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones gone, Auburn’s perimeter scoring takes a dip. Overton and Hall can help, but you want one more microwave scorer — especially one who’s battle-tested.

Ideally, you add:

A combo guard who can create his own shot.
A veteran with NCAA Tournament experience.
Someone who can slide between the 1 and 2 spots.

Portal Options (Speculative):

Max Abmas (Texas): If he enters the portal (rumored), he’d be a massive get.
Jameer Nelson Jr. (TCU): Tough, seasoned scorer.
Hunter Sallis (Wake Forest): Electric guard who averaged 18+ PPG and may be exploring portal/NBA.

3. Shooting and Floor Spacing

Auburn finished in the bottom third of the SEC in 3-point shooting last season. If you want to survive in March, you need shooters. Period.

That’s where a guy like Elyjah Freeman might emerge down the road, but for now, Auburn could still use:

A pure 3-and-D wing.
A stretch-four who can keep defenders honest from deep.

Top Portal Sniper Targets:

Chris Ledlum (St. John’s): Veteran with size and range.
Micah Peavy (TCU): Defense-first wing who has grown as a shooter.

Philosophical Fit: What Bruce Pearl Wants

Pearl’s ideal player in the portal:

Versatile (can guard 2–3 positions)
Tough (mentally and physically)
Ready to play now

He doesn’t just want talent — he wants guys who will buy into Auburn’s culture, compete defensively, and leave it all on the floor. That’s why every addition matters.

As Pearl recently told local media:

“We’re not just filling spots. We’re building a team that can win in March.”

NIL & Recruiting Realities

Auburn’s aggressive stance in the transfer portal is buoyed by a strong NIL infrastructure through entities like On To Victory. Players know they’ll be compensated fairly, developed well, and positioned for pro success.

That’s a trifecta few programs can offer at the level Auburn currently does.

Looking Ahead: Projected Depth Chart (So Far)

If Johni Broome returns:

Position	Starter	Backup
PG	Aden Holloway	Tre Donaldson
SG	Kevin Overton	Open spot / Freeman
SF	Keyshawn Hall	Elyjah Freeman
PF	KeShawn Murphy	Open spot
C	Johni Broome	Dylan Cardwell (?)

Still need:

A backup SG/SF with shooting ability
A backup PF/C with starting potential

What the Fanbase Wants:

Auburn fans, based on message boards, social media, and our own mailbag responses, are clamoring for three things:

A “bucket” guard — someone who can take over late in games.
Another big man — preferably a rim protector.
A sniper — because the 3-point woes can’t continue.

Bruce Pearl hears you. And based on how he’s operated in recent years, he likely has 1–2 portal irons still in the fire.

The Plan Isn’t Finished

Auburn is playing the long game. There’s no rush to fill spots. The coaching staff is scouting portal talent like NBA scouts — looking for role fits, not just stars.

With key decisions from players like Broome and potentially Cardwell still pending, there’s flexibility and room for strategic additions.

Prediction:

Expect at least one more portal addition by mid-May. Possibly two, especially if Broome leaves for the NBA.

What Might Auburn Do Next?

Add one more big (starter-level PF/C)
Pursue a scoring guard
Remain open for an elite 3-point shooter or versatile wing if the right fit appears

The Tigers aren’t rebuilding — they’re recalibrating. And in today’s college basketball landscape, that’s the name of the game.