Auburn Star Basketball Player Charged with DUI
Tahaad Pettiford, a rising star in college basketball at Auburn University, has recently faced legal trouble after being charged with DUI. The 19-year-old was arrested early Saturday morning, July 12, in Lee County, Alabama, where the university is located. He was released later that day after posting a $1,000 bond.
Auburn’s head basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, acknowledged the situation, stating, “We are aware of what happened and will address it with Tahaad and his family. We take such matters seriously and aim to learn from this moving forward.”
Last season, Pettiford made headlines by earning a spot on the Southeastern Conference’s All-Freshman Team and was also a contender for the SEC Player of the Year. He recently decided to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft to return to college and further develop his skills.
During his freshman year, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points per game, helping the Auburn Tigers secure the top seed in the NCAA tournament, where they reached the Final Four. While some experts believed he could be a late first-round pick or early second-round selection, Pettiford felt returning to Auburn was the best choice for his future NBA prospects.
In a previous statement about his decision to remain in college, he mentioned, “Getting feedback from NBA teams was valuable. Going back to Auburn is a better situation for me. I see myself being a higher pick next year.”
As a smaller guard, Pettiford recognizes the challenges he faces but remains determined to succeed at the next level. With his talent and resilience, many are eager to see how he will navigate the coming season and beyond.
