Steven Pearl, Auburn land intriguing sharpshooter via transfer portal

Auburn Tigers head coach Steven Pearl. David Leong-Imagn Images

Steven Pearl, Auburn land intriguing sharpshooter via transfer portal

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 8:37 PM ET

Steven Pearl has a lot to live up to as head coach of the Auburn Tigers.

His father, Bruce Pearl, took Auburn to the NCAA Tournament six times in 11 seasons while making two Final Fours. After taking over for the elder Pearl last offseason, Steven is now 0-1 when it comes to making the NCAA Tournament.

That makes this offseason very important for both him and the Auburn basketball program as a whole. The Tigers have to get it right both on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, and they landed a big portal win on Tuesday that could end up being very notable.

Sharpshooter Adam Olsen is planning on taking a step up from the Sun Belt to the SEC. Olsen made his decision to transfer from the South Alabama Jaguars to Auburn on Tuesday.

NEWS: South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen has committed to Auburn, the team announced

He averaged 16.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG and shot 40% from three this past season. pic.twitter.com/bPI7GIGbZH
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) April 21, 2026

Checking in at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, Olsen started all 32 games last season for the Jaguars while averaging 16.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

He was one of the best players in the conference and earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors.

Visit to The Plains sealed the deal for Adam Olsen and Auburn

Olsen visited Auburn over the weekend and that trip sealed the deal on his decision to transfer to The Plains.

“The visit was great,” Olsen told AuburnSports. “Campus student life seems top notch, probably got to be the best in the SEC for sure. What Steve — Steven Pearl — Coach Pearl’s presentation was great and I appreciate everyone that was part of it.”

Originally from Canada, Olsen started his college career at the University of British Columbia. There, he averaged 14.7 points per game (2024-25) while averaging 32.5% from three-point range.

Last season at South Alabama, he hit 39.1% of his three-pointers and made 102, which set a single-season record for the program.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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