Basketball News: 4-10-2026
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Dudley Dent
Apr 10, 2026, 8:11:45 AM (3 days ago) Apr 10
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Auburn Basketball News: 4-10-2026
Former Auburn forward commits to Big 10 program, report says:
https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2026/04/former-auburn-forward-commits-to-big-10-program-report-says.html
Auburn Transfer Filip Jovic Commits to Big Ten Foe:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/basketball/auburn-transfer-filip-jovic-commits-big-ten-foe
Simon Walker announces his return to Auburn for sophomore season:
https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2026/04/simon-walker-announces-his-return-to-auburn-for-sophomore-season.html
San Diego State transfer point guard to visit Auburn:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-transfer-portal-tigers-point-guard-280986458/
Tamoria Holmes named assistant coach for Auburn women's basketball:
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/04/9/tamoria-holmes-named-assistant-coach-for-auburn-womens-basketball
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Former Auburn forward commits to Big 10 program, report says
By Peter Rauterkus
al.com
Filip Jovic was the first Auburn player to enter the transfer portal after it opened this week and is now the first Tiger to commit elsewhere.
Jovic is headed west to UCLA, his agent told Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He’ll join a team that was a seven-seed in this year’s NCAA tournament and advanced to the Round of 32.
A key player for Auburn late in the season, Jovic is leaving the program after just one season on the Plains. He averaged 6.3 points and four rebounds per game for Auburn this season and became the team’s starting center during the NIT.
Jovic’s best performance came against Nevada in the NIT quarterfinals, where he scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 75-69 Auburn win.
Prior to Auburn, Jovic played professionally in Serbia for KK Mega Basket, the same team NBA star Nikola Jokic played for before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets.
The transfer portal officially opened at 11 p.m. CT on April 6 and will remain open until April 21.
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Auburn Transfer Filip Jovic Commits to Big Ten Foe
By Gunner Norene
Auburn Daily
Just four days after the Auburn Tigers won their first-ever NIT championship in Indianapolis, one of their most intriguing players has already found a new home.
Former Auburn forward Filip Jovic has committed to UCLA, according to a report from DraftExpress. Jovic is one of two players who have announced their intention to enter the portal, along with freshman guard Kaden Magwood, but he is the first former Tigers to commit to a school.
Jovic spent one season with the Tigers after coming over from Bosnia & Herzegovina, during which he averaged 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as a true freshman. He emerged as a solid presence on the offensive end of the floor towards the end of the season, as he posted 11.4 points per game throughout Auburn’s five NIT games on 64.1% shooting from the field.
He played in 37 of Auburn’s 38 games this season, and he started in all five postseason games en route to the Tigers’ title win in the absence of starting center KeShawn Murphy.
As expected, it took some time for Jovic to become acclimated to a faster, more physical style of basketball in the United States, but he quickly adjusted and evolved into a productive scoring threat down low. He finished in double-figures in four of Auburn’s five NIT matchups, and his 18 points and nine rebounds against Nevada propelled the Tigers into the semifinals.
Many reports are circulating on social media, which originated from a report by On3’s Justin Hokanson, that Jovic’s agent was the driving factor in his entrance into the transfer portal. Apparently, his team believed Jovic’s NIL worth was around $2 million, which is far from what the Tigers were willing to pay in order to retain him.
With Jovic’s confirmed departure, Auburn will certainly look to retain fellow freshman forward Sebastian Williams-Adams, whose future is still unknown. Murphy and Keyshawn Hall are out of eligibility, as well, meaning Steven Pearl and company will likely need to bring in multiple big men to add to the Tigers’ shallow frontcourt.
Auburn has already signed French 7-footer Narcisse Ngoy, but it remains undetermined whether he’s ready to start in the SEC. Emeka Opurum is another Tiger who could make his way into the rotation next year, but like most other Auburn players, he has not made a decision on his future.
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Simon Walker announces his return to Auburn for sophomore season
By Peter Rauterkus
al.com
Freshman guard Simon Walker is the latest Auburn player to publicly announce his return to the program.
The Huntsville High School grad did so in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. He’s the second Auburn player to publicly announce his return, joining Kevin Overton.
Walker played a reserve role for Auburn during the 2025-2026 season, averaging 2.5 points per game in 13 appearances. He was most known as a shooter, scoring 15 points on five made 3-pointers during his college debut against Jackson State.
The transfer portal officially opened at 11 p.m. CT on April 6 and will remain open until April 21.
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San Diego State transfer point guard to visit Auburn
By Nathan King
Auburn is continuing to comb the portal for options at point guard after Kaden Magwood's exit and with Tahaad Pettiford's decision still looming.
And next week, the Tigers are expected to bring San Diego State's BJ Davis in for a transfer visit, per his agency Envision Sports Group on Thursday.
A rising senior, Davis primarily came off the bench for the Aztecs this past season and averaged 10.8 points and 2.2 assists, while shooting 37 percent from deep and 85 percent from the foul line.
A California native, Davis is currently rated as the No. 21 point guard in the portal by 247Sports.
Starting shooting guard Kevin Overton and reserve Simon Walker have both announced their returns to Auburn. Two players have declared their intentions to enter the portal since it opened Tuesday: freshman forward Filip Jovic and freshman point guard Kaden Magwood.
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Tamoria Holmes named assistant coach for Auburn women's basketball
By Wes Todd
Tamoria Holmes, who spent the last five seasons on staff at East Carolina, has joined the Auburn women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, it was announced today by Head Coach Larry Vickers.
Holmes helped lead the Pirates to four straight winning seasons, including a 22-10 overall record and 14-4 mark in conference games in 2025-26. She has experience working under Vickers, serving as an assistant on his Norfolk State staff for the 2016-17 season.
“I am grateful and beyond excited to join the Auburn women’s basketball coaching staff,” Holmes said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to work alongside Coach Larry Vickers again; he’s always been a coach I’ve truly respected and learned so much from. I’m ready to get to work, build something special and pour into the student-athletes every single day. War Eagle!”
Holmes helped the Pirates to a productive season in 2025-26, winning a program record 22 regular season games and 14 American Conference games. The team would end up finishing second in the American, just the eighth time in ECU history finishing in the top two in a conference and the first time since 2012-13. With the 22 wins on the year, the team reached 81 wins over a four-year period which was a program record as well.
“I am excited to welcome Tamoria to Auburn,” Vickers said. “Having worked with her before, her enthusiasm, work ethic, and ability to connect with our team was what made her a great fit for our staff. Happy to have her join us on the Plains.”
Working closely with the ECU guards, she helped Kennedy Fauntleroy to 2025-26 American Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors while being named First Team All-Conference. Additionally, Keanna Rembert earned Third-Team recognition.
Holmes helped lead the Pirates to a third straight winning record in 2024-25, finishing 17-15 on the year with an 8-10 mark in American Conference Play. The team reached the conference tournament quarterfinal, winning a league tournament game for the third-straight season for the first time since 2010-13. In so doing, she helped guide Amiya Joyner to First Team All-Conference recognition. During the season, the Pirates once again broke the program single-game attendance record with 6,865 in attendance against Howard.
2023-24 was a season of resilience for the Pirates. Despite multiple season-ending injuries, the team still finished with a 19-14 record, including a 9-9 record in American Athletic Conference play. The team also made a phenomenal run to reach the AAC Tournament Final for the second year in a row. It was the first time the Pirates had reached league finals in consecutive seasons since 1991 and 1992.
Working primarily with the guards group, Holmes once again helped the Pirates to great individual success in 2023-24. Danae McNeal became the second Pirate in five years to win a second Defensive Player of the Year Award as well as being named unanimous First-Team All-Conference. McNeal also posted a record-breaking season with the second-most points in a season in ECU history, the fifth-most steals and finished her career at ninth in career scoring, sixth in career steals and third in free throw percentage. Additionally, Karina Gordon made 48 three-point shots on the season, the third most ever by an ECU freshman.
In Holmes' second season in Greenville, the Pirates experienced a breakout season, winning the AAC Tournament Championship while finishing with a program-record tying 23 wins and making the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history. The team found individual success in addition to the team success with Danae McNeal earning Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player honors, Amiya Joyner being named Freshman of the Year and Synia Johnson being named AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Holmes arrived in Greenville after four seasons on staff at her alma mater, Howard University. Along with her duties as assistant coach, Holmes served as recruiting coordinator for the Bison. During her four seasons, Holmes helped lead the Bison to record highs. During the 2020-21 season, Holmes helped guide Howard to a 15-4 record, setting a new school-record with a .824 winning percentage (14-3) during the regular season, as well as earning the No. 1 seed in the MEAC Championship and reaching the league’s championship game. It was the third consecutive season that Howard has finished with a winning record under Holmes’ watch.
Holmes was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 for the 2019-20 campaign. She has helped tutor six different Howard players to a combined 11 postseason honors, including Jayla Thornton earning the 2020-21 MEAC Player of the Year award and Anzhane’ Hutton earning the league’s Rookie of the Year honor.
Prior to returning to her alma mater, Holmes spent a season as an assistant coach at Norfolk State. Holmes helped the Spartans finish with a .500 record for the first time since the 2001-2002 season and coached Kayla Roberts (First-Team All-Conference) and Jordan Strodes (Third-Team All-Conference) to postseason honors.
Holmes started her collegiate coaching career at Chowan University. While at Chowan, Holmes helped the Hawks to two of the best seasons in program history. Chowan reached the 20-win mark for the first time in school history during the 2015-16 campaign, as well as earning the program’s first regional ranking and the first berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Holmes helped tutor Alisha Mobley who earned First-Team All-Conference honors in both 2014-15 and 2015-16 while also helping Dhyamond Crenshaw and Mercedes Tapia earn All-Rookie Team Honors.
A native of Durham, N.C., Holmes was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Howard women’s basketball team from 2009-13. She helped guide the Bison to the MEAC Tournament championship game three times in her career and was a First-Team All-MEAC performer in 2011-12 after leading the league in scoring (18.3 points per game). She also ranked fourth in the MEAC in steals (2.5) and sixth in free-throw percentage (77.0) that season, which culminated in Howard posting a 24-9 record (14-2 MEAC) and earning a berth in the WNIT. That was one of three postseason trips for Holmes and her teammates, with the Bison reaching the WNIT in 2011 as well as a trip to the CBI in 2013. Holmes left Howard as a member of the Bison 1,000-point club and was a Second-Team All-HBCU All-American following the 2011-12 campaign.
Holmes earned her bachelor’s degree in health science from Howard in 2013.
Former Auburn forward commits to Big 10 program, report says:
https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2026/04/former-auburn-forward-commits-to-big-10-program-report-says.html
Auburn Transfer Filip Jovic Commits to Big Ten Foe:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/basketball/auburn-transfer-filip-jovic-commits-big-ten-foe
Simon Walker announces his return to Auburn for sophomore season:
https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2026/04/simon-walker-announces-his-return-to-auburn-for-sophomore-season.html
San Diego State transfer point guard to visit Auburn:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-transfer-portal-tigers-point-guard-280986458/
Tamoria Holmes named assistant coach for Auburn women's basketball:
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/04/9/tamoria-holmes-named-assistant-coach-for-auburn-womens-basketball
*************************
Former Auburn forward commits to Big 10 program, report says
By Peter Rauterkus
al.com
Filip Jovic was the first Auburn player to enter the transfer portal after it opened this week and is now the first Tiger to commit elsewhere.
Jovic is headed west to UCLA, his agent told Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He’ll join a team that was a seven-seed in this year’s NCAA tournament and advanced to the Round of 32.
A key player for Auburn late in the season, Jovic is leaving the program after just one season on the Plains. He averaged 6.3 points and four rebounds per game for Auburn this season and became the team’s starting center during the NIT.
Jovic’s best performance came against Nevada in the NIT quarterfinals, where he scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 75-69 Auburn win.
Prior to Auburn, Jovic played professionally in Serbia for KK Mega Basket, the same team NBA star Nikola Jokic played for before being drafted by the Denver Nuggets.
The transfer portal officially opened at 11 p.m. CT on April 6 and will remain open until April 21.
**********************
Auburn Transfer Filip Jovic Commits to Big Ten Foe
By Gunner Norene
Auburn Daily
Just four days after the Auburn Tigers won their first-ever NIT championship in Indianapolis, one of their most intriguing players has already found a new home.
Former Auburn forward Filip Jovic has committed to UCLA, according to a report from DraftExpress. Jovic is one of two players who have announced their intention to enter the portal, along with freshman guard Kaden Magwood, but he is the first former Tigers to commit to a school.
Jovic spent one season with the Tigers after coming over from Bosnia & Herzegovina, during which he averaged 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game as a true freshman. He emerged as a solid presence on the offensive end of the floor towards the end of the season, as he posted 11.4 points per game throughout Auburn’s five NIT games on 64.1% shooting from the field.
He played in 37 of Auburn’s 38 games this season, and he started in all five postseason games en route to the Tigers’ title win in the absence of starting center KeShawn Murphy.
As expected, it took some time for Jovic to become acclimated to a faster, more physical style of basketball in the United States, but he quickly adjusted and evolved into a productive scoring threat down low. He finished in double-figures in four of Auburn’s five NIT matchups, and his 18 points and nine rebounds against Nevada propelled the Tigers into the semifinals.
Many reports are circulating on social media, which originated from a report by On3’s Justin Hokanson, that Jovic’s agent was the driving factor in his entrance into the transfer portal. Apparently, his team believed Jovic’s NIL worth was around $2 million, which is far from what the Tigers were willing to pay in order to retain him.
With Jovic’s confirmed departure, Auburn will certainly look to retain fellow freshman forward Sebastian Williams-Adams, whose future is still unknown. Murphy and Keyshawn Hall are out of eligibility, as well, meaning Steven Pearl and company will likely need to bring in multiple big men to add to the Tigers’ shallow frontcourt.
Auburn has already signed French 7-footer Narcisse Ngoy, but it remains undetermined whether he’s ready to start in the SEC. Emeka Opurum is another Tiger who could make his way into the rotation next year, but like most other Auburn players, he has not made a decision on his future.
**************************
Simon Walker announces his return to Auburn for sophomore season
By Peter Rauterkus
al.com
Freshman guard Simon Walker is the latest Auburn player to publicly announce his return to the program.
The Huntsville High School grad did so in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. He’s the second Auburn player to publicly announce his return, joining Kevin Overton.
Walker played a reserve role for Auburn during the 2025-2026 season, averaging 2.5 points per game in 13 appearances. He was most known as a shooter, scoring 15 points on five made 3-pointers during his college debut against Jackson State.
The transfer portal officially opened at 11 p.m. CT on April 6 and will remain open until April 21.
**************************
San Diego State transfer point guard to visit Auburn
By Nathan King
Auburn is continuing to comb the portal for options at point guard after Kaden Magwood's exit and with Tahaad Pettiford's decision still looming.
And next week, the Tigers are expected to bring San Diego State's BJ Davis in for a transfer visit, per his agency Envision Sports Group on Thursday.
A rising senior, Davis primarily came off the bench for the Aztecs this past season and averaged 10.8 points and 2.2 assists, while shooting 37 percent from deep and 85 percent from the foul line.
A California native, Davis is currently rated as the No. 21 point guard in the portal by 247Sports.
Starting shooting guard Kevin Overton and reserve Simon Walker have both announced their returns to Auburn. Two players have declared their intentions to enter the portal since it opened Tuesday: freshman forward Filip Jovic and freshman point guard Kaden Magwood.
**************************
Tamoria Holmes named assistant coach for Auburn women's basketball
By Wes Todd
Tamoria Holmes, who spent the last five seasons on staff at East Carolina, has joined the Auburn women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, it was announced today by Head Coach Larry Vickers.
Holmes helped lead the Pirates to four straight winning seasons, including a 22-10 overall record and 14-4 mark in conference games in 2025-26. She has experience working under Vickers, serving as an assistant on his Norfolk State staff for the 2016-17 season.
“I am grateful and beyond excited to join the Auburn women’s basketball coaching staff,” Holmes said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to work alongside Coach Larry Vickers again; he’s always been a coach I’ve truly respected and learned so much from. I’m ready to get to work, build something special and pour into the student-athletes every single day. War Eagle!”
Holmes helped the Pirates to a productive season in 2025-26, winning a program record 22 regular season games and 14 American Conference games. The team would end up finishing second in the American, just the eighth time in ECU history finishing in the top two in a conference and the first time since 2012-13. With the 22 wins on the year, the team reached 81 wins over a four-year period which was a program record as well.
“I am excited to welcome Tamoria to Auburn,” Vickers said. “Having worked with her before, her enthusiasm, work ethic, and ability to connect with our team was what made her a great fit for our staff. Happy to have her join us on the Plains.”
Working closely with the ECU guards, she helped Kennedy Fauntleroy to 2025-26 American Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors while being named First Team All-Conference. Additionally, Keanna Rembert earned Third-Team recognition.
Holmes helped lead the Pirates to a third straight winning record in 2024-25, finishing 17-15 on the year with an 8-10 mark in American Conference Play. The team reached the conference tournament quarterfinal, winning a league tournament game for the third-straight season for the first time since 2010-13. In so doing, she helped guide Amiya Joyner to First Team All-Conference recognition. During the season, the Pirates once again broke the program single-game attendance record with 6,865 in attendance against Howard.
2023-24 was a season of resilience for the Pirates. Despite multiple season-ending injuries, the team still finished with a 19-14 record, including a 9-9 record in American Athletic Conference play. The team also made a phenomenal run to reach the AAC Tournament Final for the second year in a row. It was the first time the Pirates had reached league finals in consecutive seasons since 1991 and 1992.
Working primarily with the guards group, Holmes once again helped the Pirates to great individual success in 2023-24. Danae McNeal became the second Pirate in five years to win a second Defensive Player of the Year Award as well as being named unanimous First-Team All-Conference. McNeal also posted a record-breaking season with the second-most points in a season in ECU history, the fifth-most steals and finished her career at ninth in career scoring, sixth in career steals and third in free throw percentage. Additionally, Karina Gordon made 48 three-point shots on the season, the third most ever by an ECU freshman.
In Holmes' second season in Greenville, the Pirates experienced a breakout season, winning the AAC Tournament Championship while finishing with a program-record tying 23 wins and making the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in program history. The team found individual success in addition to the team success with Danae McNeal earning Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player honors, Amiya Joyner being named Freshman of the Year and Synia Johnson being named AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Holmes arrived in Greenville after four seasons on staff at her alma mater, Howard University. Along with her duties as assistant coach, Holmes served as recruiting coordinator for the Bison. During her four seasons, Holmes helped lead the Bison to record highs. During the 2020-21 season, Holmes helped guide Howard to a 15-4 record, setting a new school-record with a .824 winning percentage (14-3) during the regular season, as well as earning the No. 1 seed in the MEAC Championship and reaching the league’s championship game. It was the third consecutive season that Howard has finished with a winning record under Holmes’ watch.
Holmes was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 for the 2019-20 campaign. She has helped tutor six different Howard players to a combined 11 postseason honors, including Jayla Thornton earning the 2020-21 MEAC Player of the Year award and Anzhane’ Hutton earning the league’s Rookie of the Year honor.
Prior to returning to her alma mater, Holmes spent a season as an assistant coach at Norfolk State. Holmes helped the Spartans finish with a .500 record for the first time since the 2001-2002 season and coached Kayla Roberts (First-Team All-Conference) and Jordan Strodes (Third-Team All-Conference) to postseason honors.
Holmes started her collegiate coaching career at Chowan University. While at Chowan, Holmes helped the Hawks to two of the best seasons in program history. Chowan reached the 20-win mark for the first time in school history during the 2015-16 campaign, as well as earning the program’s first regional ranking and the first berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Holmes helped tutor Alisha Mobley who earned First-Team All-Conference honors in both 2014-15 and 2015-16 while also helping Dhyamond Crenshaw and Mercedes Tapia earn All-Rookie Team Honors.
A native of Durham, N.C., Holmes was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Howard women’s basketball team from 2009-13. She helped guide the Bison to the MEAC Tournament championship game three times in her career and was a First-Team All-MEAC performer in 2011-12 after leading the league in scoring (18.3 points per game). She also ranked fourth in the MEAC in steals (2.5) and sixth in free-throw percentage (77.0) that season, which culminated in Howard posting a 24-9 record (14-2 MEAC) and earning a berth in the WNIT. That was one of three postseason trips for Holmes and her teammates, with the Bison reaching the WNIT in 2011 as well as a trip to the CBI in 2013. Holmes left Howard as a member of the Bison 1,000-point club and was a Second-Team All-HBCU All-American following the 2011-12 campaign.
Holmes earned her bachelor’s degree in health science from Howard in 2013.
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