Former Auburn Star Tahaad Pettiford Shines at NBA Combine

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Logan Fowler | Last updated May 15, 2025 8:53 PM ET

After one season on the Plains and playing a large part in Auburn’s Final Four run as a freshman in a star-studded Southeastern Conference, Tahaad Pettiford is putting his talent on display in front of scouts at the NBA Combine this week in Chicago, IL.

After measuring in at 6-foot-0 and 169 pounds and posting a 42-inch vertical jump, the electric guard tallied 23 points, eight assists and just one turnover in an NBA Combine game on Wednesday to lead his squad to a 24-point victory.

He followed suit with a 10-point performance on Thursday, although he turned it over five times with two assists.

After a freshman campaign in which he averaged 11.6 points per game while shooting 36.6% from deep with three assists, Pettiford declared for the draft but has publicly expressed his willingness to return to Auburn if he does not receive the feedback he hopes for prior to the draft.

“I hope to come back next year and run it back,” Pettiford said at the team’s welcome back from the Final Four inside Neville Arena.

Pettiford says it will take a first-round guarantee for him to remain in the draft.

“Probably a guaranteed first round,” Pettiford expressed. “If I get there, my decision will be made.”

Pettiford will have until May 28 to withdraw from the NBA Draft process. The draft will begin on June 25 in Brooklyn, NY.

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

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