Gifted Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford led his crew to the Remaining 4 of the 2025 NCAA Match earlier than declaring for the NBA draft. Pettiford participated within the mix however withdrew his title from consideration and opted to return to Auburn for an additional 12 months of school basketball.
On Saturday, Pettiford was arrested for driving beneath the affect however was later launched. In a press release launched to ESPN on Saturday, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl revealed how the Tigers would take care of the matter.
“We’re conscious of the scenario, and we’ll deal with it internally with Tahaad and his household,” Bruce Pearl stated. “We take these issues critically and can be taught and develop from it shifting ahead.”
After the Tigers’ season ended within the Remaining 4, throughout his postgame information convention, Pearl namechecked Tahaad Pettiford for his optimistic angle in the course of the season regardless of not getting a lot gametime.
“I suppose some would simply kind of count on that to be an issue,” Pearl stated. “Not a phrase. Not a physique language, shoulder shrug, roll eye ever from Tahaad.”
Tahaad Pettiford apologizes for DUI arrest
After withdrawing his title from the NBA draft in Could, Tahaad Pettiford returned to offseason observe with the Auburn Tigers earlier than his arrest on Saturday.
Later that night, he apologized for his driving beneath the affect arrest through a submit on Instagram.
“Final evening, I made a critical mistake and one which I take full accountability for,” Pettiford wrote.
“My actions put myself and others in danger, and for that, I am deeply sorry. There is no such thing as a excuse. To my household, teammates, coaches and followers, I do know I’ve allow you to down. I perceive the frustration and concern that this has brought about, and I need you to know that I am taking this critically.
“This isn’t who I’m, and never who I can be. I am dedicated to studying from this second and making significant, optimistic adjustments in my life. I am grateful for the help and accountability of these round me, and I’ll work to earn again the belief I’ve misplaced.”
Star ahead Johni Broome hogged all of the headlines for the Tigers final season, however Pettiford averaged 11.6 factors, 2.2 rebounds and three.0 assists final season as Auburn snagged the No. 1 seed on the 2025 NCAA Match.
He has been tabbed to be the SEC Participant of the Yr in lots of way-too-early predictions for subsequent season.
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Edited by Bhargav