Dap Recap: Auburn basketball's roster speculation

The Auburn basketball roster could see some change in the coming days.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl celebrates during the second half of the SEC tournament championship / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA

As the curtain closed on another college basketball season in 2024 with the crowning of the back-to-back national champion UConn Huskies, a look back is in order on the 2023-2024 Auburn basketball team.

Although considered a successful season, it ended in a heartbreaking loss to Yale in the first round of the NCAA tournament. We will do a deep dive into the key additions, key moments, and defining storylines, while doing a recap on the SEC tournament champion Auburn Tigers. What also might the future hold for next year's edition of Bruce Pearl's squad? Key additions, returnees, departures, and potential portal targets will also be covered in this Dap Recap. 

Editor's note: Dylan Cardwell announced that he will return shortly after this story was published.

Looking back on a championship season:

The way the season ended for the Auburn Tigers was extremely disappointing, the fact remains anytime you hang a banner from the rafters, win a ring, and claim the title champion, you have to consider that a successful season. Auburn was able to accomplish all those things by going 27-8 overall, 13-5 in the SEC, and ultimately earning a double bye in the SEC tourney. That double bye was instrumental in Auburn going on to win its third SEC tournament title. Auburn caught fire in March winning six in a row before bowing out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Coming into the season Auburn had question marks in the backcourt losing both Zep Jasper and Wendell Green, Jr. and at the three position with the departure of Allen Flanigan. Auburn filled those spots with incoming freshman Aden Holloway (7.3 ppg) and transfer portal addition from FIU Denver Jones (9.1 ppg). The return of Tre Donaldson (6.7 ppg) and KD Johnson (7.1 ppg) stabilized the backcourt as well. The 3 position was addressed via the JUCO ranks with Auburn adding Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 ppg) who had also previously played at Duquesne and San Diego State. His elite defensive abilities and clutch shooting were crucial to the Tigers season. Lior Berman and Chris Moore were also returning to provide depth off the bench, with Moore starting for a portion of the season until Baker-Mazara replaced him. 

Auburn's frontcourt was considered a strength for 23-24 with the returning trio of Jaylin Williams (12.4 ppg), Johni Broome (16.5 ppg) and Dylan Cardwell (5.3 ppg). It was bolstered by the addition of UAH transfer Chaney Johnson (4.7 ppg) who played his best basketball of the season after Jaylin Williams briefly went down with a knee injury. Cardwell was perhaps the most improved player on the team, giving the Tigers valuable minutes off the bench with his defensive and rebounding ability. His dunks were showtime and he became an emotional leader for Auburn. 

What lies ahead:

Key Departures:  Aden Holloway, Tre Donaldson, KD Johnson, Jaylin Williams, Lior Berman

Holloway, Donaldson, and Johnson all left via the portal. It was reported that after returning from Spokane for the NCAA tournament, Holloway and the Auburn basketball staff had virtually no communication. His portal entry was not a surprise. KD and the staff had what was considered a mutual parting of the ways. Donaldson gave no indication according to sources that he was unhappy and looking to transfer. The staff was surprised allegedly by his decision to leave. Jaylin Williams ran out of eligibility and went out as the winningest player in Auburn program history. Lior Berman also used up his eligibility. 

Key Additions: Tahaad Pettiford, Jahki Howard

Pettiford is a five-star 5'10 combo guard from Hudson Catholic High School in New Jersey. He is a McDonald's All-American who is a terrific LH shooter and scorer. He should fight for immediate playing time for Auburn. Howard is a four-star 6'6 combo guard/forward from Norcross, GA and the Overtime Elite program. His athleticism is off the charts, and he is described as one of the most explosive players in the 2024 class. He has won numerous elite level dunk contests and is considered a high riser in the class. 

Key Returnees: Denver Jones, Chaney Johnson, Chad Baker-Mazara, Chris Moore

Jones started to play at a high level coming down the stretch, displaying exactly what the Auburn coaching staff sought when they pursued him last year. He is projected to start at the 2 guard position but is versatile enough to play some backup point guard. Johnson is the favorite to secure the starting job at the 4 position contingent upon what Broome and Cardwell do. (More on that later) Baker-Mazara's return was welcome news to the Auburn staff as he is penciled in as the starter at the 3 position. However, Baker-Mazara must keep his emotions in check. His ejection in the first round of the NCAA tournament was a big loss for the Tigers as Auburn lost not only one of its best defenders, but a clutch shooter as well. Chris Moore is slated as a backup at the 3 position, but his hard hat, does anything to win approach, is vital for any program aspiring to win championships. His role should not be understated as his teammates and coaches deem him crucial to the team. 

Unknown to return: Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell

This is the most crucial question that must be answered going into next year for the Auburn basketball program. Everything flows and develops from these two returning. At the time of this article it looks good for both to return. It has been suggested by some that Broome move to the 4 position where it is rumored he is more coveted in the pro game. If that happens it enables Cardwell to start at the 5 position. This would give Auburn a seasoned and dangerous front court.  If Broome stays at the 5, Cardwell provides much needed depth there in case of foul trouble. Either way, Auburn benefits.

Potential portal targets: JP Pegues, Myles Rice, Wesley Yates III, Jakobe Coles, Danny Wolf

These are a few names that have been linked to Auburn pursuing in the portal by sources close to the program. Nobody knows for sure if the interest is mutual, but there seems to be a buzz around these names concerning Auburn. Auburn will need to address the point guard position with the departures of Holloway and Donaldson. Sources say Auburn would take either Pegues, the transfer from Furman, who averaged 18 points a game for the Paladins last year while shooting 36% from the three-point line or Rice.

Rice, from Washington State is more of a slasher, but averaged 15 points a game and was named Pac-12 freshman of the year. Pegues is known as the better shooter, Rice the better defender. Yates is a shooting guard who entered the portal from Washington that Auburn pursued heavily out of high school. He was highly coveted on the recruiting trail two years ago and could be a good fit as a backup to Denver Jones.

Coles is a transfer forward from TCU who averaged 10 points a game last year for the Horned Frogs. He is listed as 6'8 and he could play the 3 or 4 position. Auburn fans are familiar with Wolf as they saw him play for Yale against the Tigers. The seven-footer averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds a game and would be a key addition if either Broome or Cardwell did not return. Auburn would likely go the JUCO route to secure a backup point guard as well similar to what they did in the case of Baker-Mazara last year. Two names to keep an eye on there are Braxton Jones who averaged 19 ppg for Garden City Community College or Darius Robinson who averaged 18 ppg for Casper College.