Auburn got a little bit of everything on Wednesday, and most of it landed in the Tigers’ favor.
Former Auburn star Walker Kessler made the biggest splash of the day when the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz to bring in the former Naismith and NABC Defensive Player of the Year. Kessler is headed to Los Angeles on a four-year, $130 million deal, while Utah comes away with unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
For the Lakers, Kessler is being asked to do exactly what he does best: clean up the paint and give the defense a backbone. He also figures to be a natural fit as a lob threat with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves setting him up.
The move gives Los Angeles a major piece in the middle, though the bigger challenge still appears to be finding wing defenders who can help cover for Luka. That part, as the source material puts it, is easier said than done.
Back in Auburn, the basketball program also welcomed two international additions to campus: French big man Narcisse Ngoy and Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavičius. The arrivals give Auburn another boost with players described as pro-adjacent, adding more depth and upside to the roster mix.
On the recruiting front, Auburn also landed a major football commitment from 4-star EDGE Marquis “MJ” Evans. The Spain Park High School standout from the Birmingham area picked the Tigers over Miami, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Evans becomes the third EDGE in Alex Golesh’s 2027 class and the second-highest rated at the position behind James Pace III.
The one piece of bad news in the day’s run of Auburn headlines came with 4-star cornerback Tae Walden choosing Oregon, but even that barely dented an otherwise strong Wednesday.
And away from the team sports news, former Auburn golfer Brendan Valdes was deemed cancer-free. Per Christian Clemente of 247 Sports, “Valdes is beginning prep to resume his pro career on the Korn Ferry Tour, aiming to be fully back in January.”
That’s the kind of update that cuts through everything else.
In Other News...
Auburn Fans Will Love Which Tigers Legend Made EAs Big Reveal
EA Sports has opened up Season 1 content for College Football 27 Ultimate Team during early access, and the launch slate is built to grab attention from the start. MVP+ members are already getting a look at more than 100 Legends in the game, alongside a revamped progression setup that leans on Skill Points and Dynamic Upgrade Paths to give players more control over how their teams develop.
For Auburn fans, the big hook is seeing a familiar Tigers icon included in that initial wave of content, a reminder that the game is leaning hard into college football history as it rolls toward its worldwide release on July 9. EA has also laid out multiple programs ahead of launch, including Sunday Spotlight, Legends and Scheme Masters, so there should be plenty for players to dig into before the full player base gets in. [Read more 🡒]
Walker Kessler Just Delivered Auburn Fans Another Huge NBA Reminder
Walker Kesslers rise in the NBA keeps giving Auburn fans another reason to feel good about what the program has sent to the league. The former Tigers big man has already built a reputation as a reliable rebounder and shot blocker, and his latest move only reinforces how much value he has created since leaving campus.
The deal also adds another eye-catching payday to Auburns recent frontcourt pipeline, with Kessler landing a four-year, $130 million contract after the trade. For a program that has watched its former bigs carve out real NBA careers, it is another reminder that Auburns reach in the league is showing up in a big way. [Read more 🡒]
Former Auburn Star Cam Coleman Is Suddenly A Must-Watch In 2026
Cam Colemans departure from Auburn already made him one of the more notable names to watch in the transfer cycle, and the former Tigers wideout has quickly carried that buzz into his next stop. A highly ranked recruit who produced in Auburns offense before the coaching changes, Coleman landed at Texas with the kind of reputation that tends to follow a receiver everywhere he goes, especially when a staff is looking to reshape its passing game.
Steve Sarkisian has already singled out Colemans work ethic and overall skill set during spring practices, and that kind of early praise usually matters as much as any recruiting ranking once a player gets on campus. For Auburn fans, it is another reminder of how much talent moved out the door, while for Texas it is a sign that Coleman could become a central piece of a receiving corps trying to take shape well before the 2026 season arrives. [Read more 🡒]