For the kid who once walked into the gym wearing slides and still dropped 30 in a New Jersey high school game, pressure never looked like pressure. At Auburn, under the March spotlight, Tahaad Pettiford didn’t just survive; he stole scenes. Now, just as his name begins to buzz in NBA circles, his draft decision has split the basketball world in two. Scouts nodding at upside, college fans pointing to résumé gaps

As March came around and the lights got brighter, so did the freshman’s performances. Pettiford’s minutes were bumped up to 29 in the NCAA tournament, earlier averaging only 22 minutes per game. He repaid Coach Pearl’s faith as he went on to average 17.3 points in the tournament. This included a Sweet 16 performance where he scored 15 points in the second half! “That just shows his shot-making ability, and to be able to just be a dog at times and make plays,” teammate Johni Broome said of the performance.

While many considered this the best season in Auburn’s history, fans grew concerned after the loss. Auburn will have to replace ten of the historic twelve players heading into the next season. While letting the seniors go is always rough, Tahaad Pettiford’s decision has the potential to add to Auburn’s misery, who appear far behind in the transfer portal.

Leaving the jungle

Tahaad Pettiford declared on Monday that he will be entering the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility. Both Pettiford’s father and his representation, WME Sports, confirmed the decision to the Montgomery Advertiser. The decision isn’t all too new to the Auburn faithful. The fans have seen stars Johni Broome and Dylan Cardwell test the draft waters and return to college basketball. So, while the fans remain positive about his return, his lethal offensive talent has looked like one for the big leagues right from the jump.

Pettiford only started a single game out of the 38 he played. But his play coming off the bench was vital in the 32 wins they had this season. He finished only behind projected first-round pick Johni Broome in the team’s scoring leaders. His shot-creating ability impressed scouts, and he’s been touted to be picked in the second round of the draft since the turn of the year.

A reliable 3-point shooter on high-volume shooting even when he’s on the go, making 45% of his 3s using handoffs or screens, something he’ll be seeing a lot in the NBA. He can also put the ball on the deck and score from the midrange or at the rim, topping it all off with efficient free throw shooting.

When attacking the rim, Pettiford has a lethal floater, both with his strong hand as a lefty and with his right off-hand. He also isn’t afraid to pull it out in clutch moments, using it late in games against Alabama and Tennessee. While he was asked to score first at Auburn, his playmaking skills have also improved as he’s progressed through his freshman year and highlights his upsides other than scoring.

Heart over height

Although it seems highly probable that by the end of the draft, Tahaad will be donning a snapback. Many fans believe his return to Auburn is imminent as the concerns around his size continue to echo. At 6-foot-1 with a lean frame, many physical guards outmatched him, even at the college level. This affects him on drives to the rim: He made only 43.5% of his layups because he gets knocked off his driving lanes.

On defense, naturally, he’s going to be targeted like any defender at his height. Paired with his lack of strength, Pettiford would be subjected to “bully ball” by bigger guards, so adding strength and finding ways to be more disruptive will be key to increasing his draft value.

“The lights don’t scare him.” Travis Pettiford said of his son, Tahaad. Even though Pettiford had only the 6th most minutes on his team, he ensured he made every moment on the hardwood count as he ranked first on the team in assists and third in scoring. He carved out a unique role for himself under Bruce Pearl, whom he hails for his success. “That’s why I came to Auburn,” Pettiford said. “My coaches and teammates’ trust and confidence in me allowed me to thrive. Coach [Bruce] Pearl sees things in me and lets me be myself.”

It is undeniable that Tahaad Pettiford gives flashes of NBA potential and has a huge upside. But some weaknesses make him a risky pick. Another question Tahaad must ask once he’s through the NBA Draft Combine is if it’s the right move for his development both on and off the court. Returning to Auburn would mean starting at point guard and becoming the centerpiece of an Auburn rebuild. This would allow him to prove to organizations in the NBA the extent of his talents and climb up the draft ladder for next year.

Going to the NBA after barely starting in your freshman year is a bold move. For Tahaad Pettiford, it is just a way of life. The NCAA Tournament taught us never to doubt this freshman, and while Tahaad has played older guys all his life, the NBA is undoubtedly different.  But with a mentality that keeps him unfazed, we might just be looking at the wildcard of this draft.