After securing commitments from two 7-footers for next season’s squad, Auburn Tigers head coach Steven Pearl and his staff continue to bolster the team’s frontcourt size.
On Monday morning, the Tigers landed a commitment from former Creighton big man Owen Freeman via the transfer portal. Standing 6-foot-9, Freeman becomes the third addition to next year’s frontcourt, joining 7-footers Bukky Oboye and Narcisse Ngoy. Auburn also expects increased availability from Emeka Oporum, who sat out last season due to injury.
Freeman started his college career at Iowa, where he was named Big 10 Freshman of the Year in 2023–24. His sophomore season with the Hawkeyes was cut short by a broken finger, after which he transferred to Creighton. This past season, a knee injury limited him once again, preventing him from practicing with the team until just before the season began.
The Tigers now have three or four players capable of playing center. Guards Kevin Overton and Simon Walker, along with forward Sebastian Williams-Adams, are also set to return for Pearl and his staff. Most notably, star player Tahaad Pettiford will be back for his junior year. Meanwhile, Elijah Freeman (Texas), Filip Yovic (UCLA), Kaden Magwood, and Abdul Bashir have all entered the transfer portal.
Following a season of ups and downs—from missing the NCAA Tournament to winning the NIT—the Tigers aim to build a more competitive roster ahead of Pearl’s second season on the Plains.
