Auburn’s path forward without Mantas Rubštavičius is already taking shape, and the Tigers aren’t short on options.
The 2026-27 roster took a hit Monday when it was confirmed that the international signee will not play for Auburn. Rubštavičius had moved to dismiss his lawsuit against the NCAA seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, and Auburn was also reportedly firing first-year general manager Brian Kloman, who was Rubštavičius’ lead recruiter and key staffer away from the rest of Auburn’s staff.
So who fills the gap?
The cleanest answer is that Auburn will lean on players who already have some game experience without Rubštavičius. That includes freshman Caleb Williams, who got the nod in the starting lineup with Rubštavičius out.
Williams had some ups and downs in the exhibitions, which isn’t exactly a shock for a freshman, but he still left a stronger impression against Alabama than he did against Florida State. Against Florida State, Williams had just four points across 13 minutes.
Against Alabama, he looked much more comfortable with 11 points, three rebounds and a couple of assists while playing 26 minutes in the intense exhibition.
Head coach Steven Pearl came away impressed by what he saw from the freshman in that Alabama game.
“I thought Caleb Williams played much better tonight,” Pearl said after the Alabama exhibition. “I thought he was in his head a little bit against Florida State, and I thought he played with just more freedom tonight. You just kind of see how talented that young man is.”
Williams isn’t the only option Auburn is likely to build around in the frontcourt.
Another name that could be called on a lot is South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen. After a 10.4 points-per-game season at South Alabama, Olsen arrived at Auburn this offseason, and so far his ability to put the ball in the basket has stood out.
He has taken 16 shot attempts in the preseason, and 15 of those have been 3-point tries. He has also hit 33% of those looks.
More than just the deep ball, he’s been taking those shots with confidence.
Auburn’s coaching staff clearly has trust in the 6-foot-6 forward. Those are the two most likely avenues Auburn will lean on the most at small forward. Additionally, the Tigers could shift power forward Thomas Dowd over to small forward at times or move shooting guard Kevin Overton or Simon Walker down if needed.
The bottom line is that losing Rubštavičius hurts this Auburn team, but it already has a couple of game-tested pieces and a few lineup paths to try.
In Other News...
Auburn Walks Into A Huge SEC Test With Ole Miss Suddenly Shorthanded
Auburns trip to Oxford brings a notable SEC matchup back into view, with the Tigers and Ole Miss meeting for the first time in three years. The timing matters for both sides, too, because Auburn is trying to build on a win over Georgia after a loss to LSU, while Ole Miss is navigating a change in its backfield heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight.
Kewan Lacy will be unavailable for the Rebels after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Texas, leaving Ole Miss with a hole it has to fill against an Auburn defense that will be keyed on Trinidad Chambliss. The Rebels quarterback has piled up 1,926 passing yards this season, so even with the backfield shorthanded, Auburn still has to deal with the part of the Ole Miss offense that can tilt the game fastest. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Could Be Getting A Needed O-Line Boost At The Right Time
Auburns offensive line might be getting some timely help as the season wears on, with head coach Alex Golesh saying sophomore Tai Buster could return to practice and play within a few weeks. Buster has been sidelined by a preseason injury, but he has stayed involved with the team during his recovery, keeping himself in the mix even while hes been unable to get back on the field.
For a line that always benefits from added depth, especially as the schedule tightens, Busters eventual return would give Auburn another option at a spot where bodies matter. He will miss the upcoming game against Ole Miss, but the possibility of getting him back later in the season gives the Tigers something worth watching beyond just the next matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns International Signee Saga Ends With Bigger Questions For The Program
Mantas Rubstavicius will not suit up for Auburn basketball this season after voluntarily dismissing his eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA, ending one of the more unusual roster stories the program has dealt with in recent months. The international signee is now expected to pursue a basketball opportunity in Europe, and he thanked Auburns administration, coach and teammates as the path with the Tigers came to a close.
The bigger issue for Auburn, though, may be what happens around the decision rather than the decision itself. The school also confirmed that general manager Brian Kloman was fired, with reports indicating the move stemmed from a failure to disclose Rubstavicius prior college enrollment overseas, leaving the program to sort through how such a significant oversight occurred in the first place. [Read more 🡒]