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Bruce Pearl Reacts to Unfortunate News About Star Auburn Player on Saturday.

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 4:04 PM ET

Unfortunate news hit the Auburn Tigers basketball program on Saturday, just months after the team wrapped up an impressive 2024–25 season with an SEC regular season title and a Final Four appearance.

Star guard and key returner Tahaad Pettiford was arrested early Saturday morning on a DUI charge in Lee County, Alabama, according to jail records.

Pettiford was later released, but the arrest is concerning—particularly as he is just 19 years old. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl addressed the situation briefly, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.

“We are aware of the situation, and we will handle it internally with Tahaad and his family,” Pearl said in a statement to ESPN. “We take these matters seriously and will learn and grow from it moving forward.”

Auburn sophomore Tahaad Pettiford was arrested last night on DUI charges in Lee County. pic.twitter.com/hspFc7bJLI
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) July 12, 2025

Just a few weeks ago, Tahaad Pettiford announced his decision to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to Auburn, where he's widely considered a serious contender for SEC Player of the Year. With Johni Broome now in the NBA, Pettiford is expected to take over as the catalyst for the Tigers' roster.

"I was happy to go through the process and get feedback from NBA teams," Pettiford said after deciding to return. "Going back to Auburn is a better situation for me. I see myself being a higher pick next year. It wasn’t 100% this year, so I didn’t want to take that chance."

Last season, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.6% from three-point range. During Auburn’s five-game NCAA Tournament run, he elevated his play, averaging 15.2 points per game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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