Auburn’s annual pro day gave the Tigers an early look at what this season could become, and two names made the loudest impression.
Tahaad Pettiford and Bukky Oboye were the clear standouts in Thursday’s scrimmage, which wrapped Auburn’s practice in front of NBA scouts and featured five four-minute periods. Pettiford was locked in as a scorer and playmaker, while Oboye looked like the kind of physical, high-upside big man who can change how a team plays on both ends.
Pettiford finished with 22 points, going 4-for-6 on 2-point attempts, 3-for-5 from 3-point range and 6-for-7 at the line. He also added five assists, one rebound, one steal and one block.
Oboye put up 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting inside the arc, missed his lone 3-point attempt and went 5-for-7 from the stripe. He grabbed four rebounds and also picked up a steal.
After practice, Pettiford described Oboye as his “bail out” to reporters, and that fit the way the scrimmage played out. Oboye lived around the rim, finishing as a rim runner and seeming to haul in just about every lob sent his way.
Steven Pearl also delivered notable news after the scrimmage, announcing that Narcisse Ngoy will be eligible this season. Ngoy turned in a solid showing with 8 points, hitting 3 of his 4 shots inside the arc and 2 of 4 free throws. He added two rebounds and an assist, giving Auburn another interior option at 280 pounds.
The other player who drew attention was George Kimble III. He scored 13 points, shooting 1-for-1 on 2-pointers, 2-for-4 from deep and 5-for-6 at the line.
He also had two rebounds and two assists, and his testing numbers included a 43-inch approach vertical leap. That kind of pop showed up in the scrimmage, where he brought burst attacking the rim and enough touch from 3-point range to matter.
Auburn’s shooting was a theme throughout the day. Pearl made his frustration with the defense clear early after both teams came out hot, but the bigger takeaway was how much better this group already looks from long range. South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen stood out among the newcomers, and both Pettiford and Kevin Overton kept flashing from outside.
Olsen finished with 9 points on 3-for-4 shooting from 3-point range, along with three rebounds and an assist. Overton led the White team with 18 points, hitting 4 of 7 from 2-point range, 2 of 4 from beyond the arc and all four of his free throws. He also had four rebounds and an assist.
As a group, Auburn went 13-for-28 from 3-point range across the two teams in the scrimmage. That number won’t show up every night, but it’s the kind of shooting that can swing games.
The rest of the White team included Mantas Rubštaviciuš with 9 points, two rebounds and two assists; Thomas Dowd with 8 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one turnover; Narcisse Ngoy with 8 points, two rebounds and an assist; and Blake Muschalek with one rebound. On the Blue side, Caleb Williams had 9 points, three rebounds and two assists, Adam Olsen scored 9, Kolby King was held scoreless but contributed three rebounds, two assists, one block and two turnovers, and Simon Walker added 3 points and two rebounds.
Auburn doesn’t play its first official game until Nov. 4, but it starts its three-game preseason slate next Wednesday against Florida State in Birmingham. For one October practice, though, the message was pretty clear: the Tigers have real shot-making, real size and at least a couple of players who already look ready to make noise.
In Other News...
Alabamas Receivers Are Already Showing Why This Staff Hire Matters
Derrick Nixs move from Auburn play-caller to Alabama receivers coach is already drawing attention because of how quickly his fingerprints have shown up on that room. Auburn saw its most productive offensive stretch over the final three games of the 2025 season after Nix was promoted to call plays, and Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer moved to bring him in after JaMarcus Shephard left for Oregon State.
Rico Scott, Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks have all looked better under Nixs coaching, a development Alabama followers and Auburn observers alike will notice because of what it says about his teaching and his fit. The early returns are encouraging, even if the bigger question is still how far that influence can carry once the competition stiffens. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn's Open Week Has Put Alex Golesh Under An Early Spotlight
Auburns open week arrives at a useful but unforgiving time for Alex Golesh, who is still settling into his first season as head coach. The Tigers sit 3-2 after wins over Baylor, Vanderbilt and Southern Miss, with losses to Florida and Tennessee, and the break gives the staff a chance to reset before a stretch that will say plenty about where this team is headed.
Georgia comes first next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT, right as Alabama is kicking off at Tennessee, and the timing only sharpens the spotlight on Auburns most immediate test. The Tigers also know the bigger picture is coming fast, with LSU and Ole Miss still on the schedule and a program history that has been rough against ranked opponents, having dropped 22 of its last 23 in those matchups. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Fans Just Got A Telling Read On Tennessee
Tennessees 24-14 win over Auburn offered a useful snapshot of where the Volunteers stand early this season. At 4-1, with their only loss coming against the top-ranked team, Tennessee has already shown it can survive a rough offensive stretch because the rest of the roster keeps giving it a chance. The defense has been the bigger separator, with players like Xavier Gilliam and Arion Carter helping steady things while the offense works through some growing pains at quarterback.
The most interesting part for Auburn fans is how the Volunteers handled the change under center. Freshman Faizon Brandon had a difficult night against Auburn, and Tennessee turned to redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, who looked better in the role. That kind of move says plenty about Tennessees willingness to adjust on the fly, and it leaves open a bigger question for future opponents: if the defense keeps playing at that level, how much does the quarterback situation actually need to be settled for the Volunteers to keep winning? [Read more 🡒]