Basketball News: 6-25-2026
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Dudley Dent
Jun 25, 2026, 7:42:27 AM (19 hours ago) Jun 25
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Auburn Basketball News: 6-25-2026
Freeman finds a home with Auburn basketball:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/owen-freeman-could-be-a-big-part-of-things-for-auburn-basketball-in-2026-27-287945862/
Auburn basketball signs 'proven winner' in Mantas Rubstavicius:
https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/auburn/mens-basketball/2026/06/24/auburn-basketball-officially-signs-mantas-rubstavicius/90671077007/
Auburn's Kevin Overton driven to win: 'That's why I came back':
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/06/24/auburns-kevin-overton-driven-to-win-thats-why-i-came-back
Auburn's Keyshawn Hall signs undrafted deal with Miami Heat:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-keyshawn-hall-nba-draft-2026-287965603/
Narcisse Ngoy drafted by Clippers, still eligible to play at Auburn:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-nba-draft-narcisse-ngoy-clippers-287968004/
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Freeman finds a home with Auburn basketball
By Jason Caldwell
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2024 at Iowa, 6-10 Owen Freeman has battled injuries the last two seasons and was looking for a fresh start heading into his senior season. That's what he found at Auburn.
On campus and working out with the Tigers, Freeman said the move has been everything he expected and more as he prepares for his first season on the Plains.
"It's been great," Freeman tells Auburn Undercover. "I feel like God really handpicked this place out for me because everything's perfect down to the last detail. I'm loving it and I'm having a lot of fun just hanging out with the guys and the coaches."
Saying the family atmosphere was a big deal for him when he made his decision, his comfort level was just part of the process for choosing his next home. One of the biggest things for him was the fit in a system that would allow him to expand his game. That's what he saw at Auburn, a place where big men have been allowed to step out and play on the perimeter. That's what he was hoping to add to his game, which was built on running the floor and finishing around the rim.
"That was a huge selling point, was just going out there and be able to be me," Freeman said. "Those are two huge facets of my game and SP said that I'm going to be able to do that here. So it was an easy decision."
When he's been healthy, Freeman has been outstanding. As a freshman with the Hawkeyes, he averaged 10.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. In year two, he was averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 63.8 percent from the floor before a finger injury ended his season.
Transferring to Creighton last year, he again battled injuries and averaged just 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Now with a fresh start, he said he has taken something from both the good and the bad in his first three years and is ready for his best season yet.
"It's super frustrating, butI know God has a plan for everything," Freeman said. "I kind of come to terms with that. Obviously, in the moment, you're super frustrated because things aren't going your way. Coming off with two really good years at Iowa, battling all those injuries, not being able to really show who I am as a player. It was really frustrating, but I know that there's a lot in store and we're going to have a great year and I know that God has a great story."
Expected to play both the four and five spots for Auburn, Freeman said he knows one thing already after getting a taste of workouts with the Tigers. Everything starts with conditioning and being able to play on both ends of the court.
"My conditioning is a huge factor," he said. "I feel like that's a place where I have struggled in my career. Me and Coach D, we're working really hard and we're all working as a team. And I think just coming in and working hard every day and really just getting confident in my jumper and polishing and continuing to focus on the things that I'm good at down on the block and my touch. Really just expanding my game and working on things I'm not good at as well. Just getting to the gym as much as I can and working with these coaches and watching film."
With the team chemistry continuing to grow and the practices getting tougher and tougher, Freeman said he's ready to get this season started with a team that he believes can be special.
"I'm super excited," he said. "I'm super excited about the guys and just the bond that we're making too. And I feel like it's going to translate really well on the court. We're going to have a lot of fun this year."
***********************
Auburn basketball signs 'proven winner' in Mantas Rubstavicius
By Phillip Jordan
Auburn Wire
The 2026-27 Auburn men's basketball roster is taking shape. On Tuesday, the Tigers officially signed one of the top international players in Lithuanian guard Mantas Rubstavicius. He is one of the final players to make up the group that Steven Pearl will be leading into the upcoming season.
Rubstavicius is an extremely talented player who is a scoring threat in multiple ways. For his team in the Lithuanian Basketball League, he averaged 7.8 points per game. He can hit various shots from beyond the three-point line, whether it be an open shot or off the dribble. He doesn't have a problem knocking down shots while being contested, either. Rubstavicius is not just a three-point shooter; he can also score around the basket as well.
"He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility, and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways," Pearl said on the signing. "Just as importantly, he has earned a reputation as a selfless teammate, high-character individual, and proven winner who has consistently contributed to successful teams throughout his career."
Rubstavicius helped lead the Lithuanian national team to the silver medal in the 2022 FIBA U20 Championship by averaging 19.7 points per game and 38 points versus France in the semifinals. He would lead the tournament in scoring.
Auburn has made an emphasis this off-season to add size and shooting for the upcoming season. Those are two areas in which the Tigers were inconsistent last season as they missed the NCAA Tournament. This Tigers team has the talent to be a much-improved basketball squad.
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Auburn's Kevin Overton driven to win: 'That's why I came back'
By Jeff Shearer
Back in the lab after leading Auburn to the NIT championship and being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Auburn’s Kevin Overton hones his sharpshooting skills ahead of his senior season.
“You grow, you get stronger, you keep building,” said Overton, who made 95 of 230 3-point attempts last season for a team-leading 41.3-percent clip. “I take what feels open, and teams are not going to let me toe the line every game.”
In Auburn’s NIT championship win over Tulsa, Overton scored 26 points and made five 3s, including one that sent the game to overtime and a 40-footer in OT.
“I have to be able to extend those, shoot comfortably off the dribble both ways,” he said. “Those are things I’m working on. It’ll all come together, I’m sure.”
Two days after the season ended, Overton announced he would be remaining on the Plains for another year.
“A consistent love. It wasn’t really a hard decision for me,” said Overton, who averaged 14.1 points per game in his first season at Auburn. “I feel like I owe the people who decided to believe in me when I was at my lowest in college, to get things done, to win games. It ultimately came down to the staff believing in me.”
Four days after Overton announced his decision to return, point guard Tahaad Pettiford did as well, giving Auburn a pair of seasoned southpaws, lethal lefties who combined to average 29.5 points per game last season and could form one of the SEC’s top backcourts in 2027.
“As real as he is, he decided to come back,” Overton said of Pettiford. “And here we are. Once it comes to those big moments, big games and chemistry moments, I think it’ll show tenfold over our entire team.”
Overton sees leadership as one of his biggest contributions this season.
“I’m trying to get better in my decision making,” said Overton, who also led Auburn by making 86 percent of his free throws last season. “Trying to keep my body in a better place. I’m preparing for things bigger than the college level at this point. Day to day, keeping my composure in those moments – especially me and Tahaad – making those plays you have to make to win games or keep the game in a good place, or make the next step to a 12 or 15-point lead.”
During June, the Tigers have begun to prepare for the 2026-27 season, with morning conditioning and afternoon practices.
“Trying to collectively get us all on the same page in terms of conditioning, togetherness and team bonding,” said Overton, noting that 7-foot-1 transfer Bukky Oboye has impressed in summer workouts. “He’s been tremendous in terms of his day-to-day progress. Our freshman, Caleb (Williams), will be somebody who can help us with his maturity at a young age.
“George (Kimble III) and Owen Freeman have a chip on their shoulders because of injuries and not being able to play. You can see that hunger. Thomas Dowd is a dog all-around, can do everything. Adam (Olsen), great shooter, great player coming from a situation where he was the best player on his team. He’s versatile, can play the three and the four. We’ve got a lot of pieces now.”
One of the Tigers’ most important pieces, Kevin Overton also enters his senior season with a chip on his shoulder, eager to lead Auburn to victory with each deep 3-pointer.
“I think this will be a very point-proving group,” he said. “We wanted to get some things done last year that we didn’t get done. This year, I think we can get it done with the pieces we have, in terms of consistency over 40 minutes.
“To Auburn fans, just look forward to winning again. Winning is still where my head is at and that’s why I came back.”
*************************
Auburn's Keyshawn Hall signs undrafted deal with Miami Heat
By Nathan King
After going undrafted, Auburn senior Keyshawn Hall has signed to play in the NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat, Auburn Undercover has been informed.
Auburn was not without a draft pick, however, as former French professional Narcisse Ngoy was selected No. 57 overall in a draft-and-stash by the Los Angeles Clippers. Ngoy signed with Auburn in March and is expected to play for the Tigers this upcoming season, but the Clippers now own his rights for whenever he turns pro.
Hall, who transferred from UNLV to George Mason to UCF and finally to Auburn, was the Tigers' leading scorer on a team that narrowly missed the NCAA tournament, but won five games to capture the NIT championship. Hall, a 6-foot-7 wing forward, scored 19.3 points per game, shot 38% from beyond the arc, and was No. 8 in all of college basketball in free throws generated.
Hall's defense was often brought into question — and he said during this draft process that becoming a better defender is his top priority — but his scoring punch always made him a tough matchup for opponents.
"Keyshawn Hall is a guy that better get looked at in the second round of the NBA Draft this year," head coach Steven Pearl said during Auburn's NIT run. "If I'm an agent and I have a really good player — I'm not putting a player in a workout with that guy. I'm just not."
Hall joins Auburn's strong crop of current NBA players: Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets), Walker Kessler (Jazz), Isaac Okoro (Bulls), Dylan Cardwell (Kings), Chaney Johnson (Nets), Sharife Cooper (Wizards) and Broome (76ers).
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Narcisse Ngoy drafted by Clippers, still eligible to play at Auburn
By Nathan King
Auburn saw an interesting development unfold late Wednesday night in the second round of the NBA Draft.
The Tigers' French center signee, Narcisse Ngoy, has been drafted No. 57 overall by the Atlanta Hawks — with that pick traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Ngoy signed with Auburn back in March and is still expected to play this coming season with the Tigers, but his draft rights are now owned by the Clippers for 2027 (or whenever he turns pro) in a "draft-and-stash" move — which has been commonplace in the NBA Draft for years with overseas prospects. Ngoy was automatically made eligible for the draft because of his age (turning 22 before next season begins).
After playing professionally in France, Ngoy is expected to arrive in Auburn next week for summer practices, Auburn Undercover was told. He obviously could pivot from his previous decision and head to the NBA, but the Clippers drafted him with the understanding that he is on a college roster for the upcoming season.
Ngoy, a 7-foot center, was the MVP of the French Elite 2 league this past season, averaging 10.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. Ngoy has been playing professionally since he was 17.
"Narcisse has a strong feel for the game on both ends of the floor," Auburn head coach Steven Pearl said when Ngoy signed. "His instincts, ability to catch and finish around the basket, rim protection, and willingness to embrace contact will make him an immediate impact while filling a huge need for our team."
Ngoy is part of a full rebuild of Auburn's frontcourt, with fellow center and Santa Clara transfer Bukky Oboye, and Creighton transfer Owen Freeman, a 6-foot-10 power forward.
Auburn has now had eight players drafted since 2019, after the program had only four draft picks in the 24 years prior. Ngoy gives Auburn a draft pick for the second straight year, after Johni Broome was taken in the second round in 2025 by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Freeman finds a home with Auburn basketball:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/owen-freeman-could-be-a-big-part-of-things-for-auburn-basketball-in-2026-27-287945862/
Auburn basketball signs 'proven winner' in Mantas Rubstavicius:
https://auburnwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/auburn/mens-basketball/2026/06/24/auburn-basketball-officially-signs-mantas-rubstavicius/90671077007/
Auburn's Kevin Overton driven to win: 'That's why I came back':
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/06/24/auburns-kevin-overton-driven-to-win-thats-why-i-came-back
Auburn's Keyshawn Hall signs undrafted deal with Miami Heat:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-keyshawn-hall-nba-draft-2026-287965603/
Narcisse Ngoy drafted by Clippers, still eligible to play at Auburn:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-nba-draft-narcisse-ngoy-clippers-287968004/
*************************
Freeman finds a home with Auburn basketball
By Jason Caldwell
The Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2024 at Iowa, 6-10 Owen Freeman has battled injuries the last two seasons and was looking for a fresh start heading into his senior season. That's what he found at Auburn.
On campus and working out with the Tigers, Freeman said the move has been everything he expected and more as he prepares for his first season on the Plains.
"It's been great," Freeman tells Auburn Undercover. "I feel like God really handpicked this place out for me because everything's perfect down to the last detail. I'm loving it and I'm having a lot of fun just hanging out with the guys and the coaches."
Saying the family atmosphere was a big deal for him when he made his decision, his comfort level was just part of the process for choosing his next home. One of the biggest things for him was the fit in a system that would allow him to expand his game. That's what he saw at Auburn, a place where big men have been allowed to step out and play on the perimeter. That's what he was hoping to add to his game, which was built on running the floor and finishing around the rim.
"That was a huge selling point, was just going out there and be able to be me," Freeman said. "Those are two huge facets of my game and SP said that I'm going to be able to do that here. So it was an easy decision."
When he's been healthy, Freeman has been outstanding. As a freshman with the Hawkeyes, he averaged 10.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. In year two, he was averaging 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 63.8 percent from the floor before a finger injury ended his season.
Transferring to Creighton last year, he again battled injuries and averaged just 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Now with a fresh start, he said he has taken something from both the good and the bad in his first three years and is ready for his best season yet.
"It's super frustrating, butI know God has a plan for everything," Freeman said. "I kind of come to terms with that. Obviously, in the moment, you're super frustrated because things aren't going your way. Coming off with two really good years at Iowa, battling all those injuries, not being able to really show who I am as a player. It was really frustrating, but I know that there's a lot in store and we're going to have a great year and I know that God has a great story."
Expected to play both the four and five spots for Auburn, Freeman said he knows one thing already after getting a taste of workouts with the Tigers. Everything starts with conditioning and being able to play on both ends of the court.
"My conditioning is a huge factor," he said. "I feel like that's a place where I have struggled in my career. Me and Coach D, we're working really hard and we're all working as a team. And I think just coming in and working hard every day and really just getting confident in my jumper and polishing and continuing to focus on the things that I'm good at down on the block and my touch. Really just expanding my game and working on things I'm not good at as well. Just getting to the gym as much as I can and working with these coaches and watching film."
With the team chemistry continuing to grow and the practices getting tougher and tougher, Freeman said he's ready to get this season started with a team that he believes can be special.
"I'm super excited," he said. "I'm super excited about the guys and just the bond that we're making too. And I feel like it's going to translate really well on the court. We're going to have a lot of fun this year."
***********************
Auburn basketball signs 'proven winner' in Mantas Rubstavicius
By Phillip Jordan
Auburn Wire
The 2026-27 Auburn men's basketball roster is taking shape. On Tuesday, the Tigers officially signed one of the top international players in Lithuanian guard Mantas Rubstavicius. He is one of the final players to make up the group that Steven Pearl will be leading into the upcoming season.
Rubstavicius is an extremely talented player who is a scoring threat in multiple ways. For his team in the Lithuanian Basketball League, he averaged 7.8 points per game. He can hit various shots from beyond the three-point line, whether it be an open shot or off the dribble. He doesn't have a problem knocking down shots while being contested, either. Rubstavicius is not just a three-point shooter; he can also score around the basket as well.
"He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility, and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways," Pearl said on the signing. "Just as importantly, he has earned a reputation as a selfless teammate, high-character individual, and proven winner who has consistently contributed to successful teams throughout his career."
Rubstavicius helped lead the Lithuanian national team to the silver medal in the 2022 FIBA U20 Championship by averaging 19.7 points per game and 38 points versus France in the semifinals. He would lead the tournament in scoring.
Auburn has made an emphasis this off-season to add size and shooting for the upcoming season. Those are two areas in which the Tigers were inconsistent last season as they missed the NCAA Tournament. This Tigers team has the talent to be a much-improved basketball squad.
**************************
Auburn's Kevin Overton driven to win: 'That's why I came back'
By Jeff Shearer
Back in the lab after leading Auburn to the NIT championship and being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Auburn’s Kevin Overton hones his sharpshooting skills ahead of his senior season.
“You grow, you get stronger, you keep building,” said Overton, who made 95 of 230 3-point attempts last season for a team-leading 41.3-percent clip. “I take what feels open, and teams are not going to let me toe the line every game.”
In Auburn’s NIT championship win over Tulsa, Overton scored 26 points and made five 3s, including one that sent the game to overtime and a 40-footer in OT.
“I have to be able to extend those, shoot comfortably off the dribble both ways,” he said. “Those are things I’m working on. It’ll all come together, I’m sure.”
Two days after the season ended, Overton announced he would be remaining on the Plains for another year.
“A consistent love. It wasn’t really a hard decision for me,” said Overton, who averaged 14.1 points per game in his first season at Auburn. “I feel like I owe the people who decided to believe in me when I was at my lowest in college, to get things done, to win games. It ultimately came down to the staff believing in me.”
Four days after Overton announced his decision to return, point guard Tahaad Pettiford did as well, giving Auburn a pair of seasoned southpaws, lethal lefties who combined to average 29.5 points per game last season and could form one of the SEC’s top backcourts in 2027.
“As real as he is, he decided to come back,” Overton said of Pettiford. “And here we are. Once it comes to those big moments, big games and chemistry moments, I think it’ll show tenfold over our entire team.”
Overton sees leadership as one of his biggest contributions this season.
“I’m trying to get better in my decision making,” said Overton, who also led Auburn by making 86 percent of his free throws last season. “Trying to keep my body in a better place. I’m preparing for things bigger than the college level at this point. Day to day, keeping my composure in those moments – especially me and Tahaad – making those plays you have to make to win games or keep the game in a good place, or make the next step to a 12 or 15-point lead.”
During June, the Tigers have begun to prepare for the 2026-27 season, with morning conditioning and afternoon practices.
“Trying to collectively get us all on the same page in terms of conditioning, togetherness and team bonding,” said Overton, noting that 7-foot-1 transfer Bukky Oboye has impressed in summer workouts. “He’s been tremendous in terms of his day-to-day progress. Our freshman, Caleb (Williams), will be somebody who can help us with his maturity at a young age.
“George (Kimble III) and Owen Freeman have a chip on their shoulders because of injuries and not being able to play. You can see that hunger. Thomas Dowd is a dog all-around, can do everything. Adam (Olsen), great shooter, great player coming from a situation where he was the best player on his team. He’s versatile, can play the three and the four. We’ve got a lot of pieces now.”
One of the Tigers’ most important pieces, Kevin Overton also enters his senior season with a chip on his shoulder, eager to lead Auburn to victory with each deep 3-pointer.
“I think this will be a very point-proving group,” he said. “We wanted to get some things done last year that we didn’t get done. This year, I think we can get it done with the pieces we have, in terms of consistency over 40 minutes.
“To Auburn fans, just look forward to winning again. Winning is still where my head is at and that’s why I came back.”
*************************
Auburn's Keyshawn Hall signs undrafted deal with Miami Heat
By Nathan King
After going undrafted, Auburn senior Keyshawn Hall has signed to play in the NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat, Auburn Undercover has been informed.
Auburn was not without a draft pick, however, as former French professional Narcisse Ngoy was selected No. 57 overall in a draft-and-stash by the Los Angeles Clippers. Ngoy signed with Auburn in March and is expected to play for the Tigers this upcoming season, but the Clippers now own his rights for whenever he turns pro.
Hall, who transferred from UNLV to George Mason to UCF and finally to Auburn, was the Tigers' leading scorer on a team that narrowly missed the NCAA tournament, but won five games to capture the NIT championship. Hall, a 6-foot-7 wing forward, scored 19.3 points per game, shot 38% from beyond the arc, and was No. 8 in all of college basketball in free throws generated.
Hall's defense was often brought into question — and he said during this draft process that becoming a better defender is his top priority — but his scoring punch always made him a tough matchup for opponents.
"Keyshawn Hall is a guy that better get looked at in the second round of the NBA Draft this year," head coach Steven Pearl said during Auburn's NIT run. "If I'm an agent and I have a really good player — I'm not putting a player in a workout with that guy. I'm just not."
Hall joins Auburn's strong crop of current NBA players: Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets), Walker Kessler (Jazz), Isaac Okoro (Bulls), Dylan Cardwell (Kings), Chaney Johnson (Nets), Sharife Cooper (Wizards) and Broome (76ers).
************************
Narcisse Ngoy drafted by Clippers, still eligible to play at Auburn
By Nathan King
Auburn saw an interesting development unfold late Wednesday night in the second round of the NBA Draft.
The Tigers' French center signee, Narcisse Ngoy, has been drafted No. 57 overall by the Atlanta Hawks — with that pick traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Ngoy signed with Auburn back in March and is still expected to play this coming season with the Tigers, but his draft rights are now owned by the Clippers for 2027 (or whenever he turns pro) in a "draft-and-stash" move — which has been commonplace in the NBA Draft for years with overseas prospects. Ngoy was automatically made eligible for the draft because of his age (turning 22 before next season begins).
After playing professionally in France, Ngoy is expected to arrive in Auburn next week for summer practices, Auburn Undercover was told. He obviously could pivot from his previous decision and head to the NBA, but the Clippers drafted him with the understanding that he is on a college roster for the upcoming season.
Ngoy, a 7-foot center, was the MVP of the French Elite 2 league this past season, averaging 10.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. Ngoy has been playing professionally since he was 17.
"Narcisse has a strong feel for the game on both ends of the floor," Auburn head coach Steven Pearl said when Ngoy signed. "His instincts, ability to catch and finish around the basket, rim protection, and willingness to embrace contact will make him an immediate impact while filling a huge need for our team."
Ngoy is part of a full rebuild of Auburn's frontcourt, with fellow center and Santa Clara transfer Bukky Oboye, and Creighton transfer Owen Freeman, a 6-foot-10 power forward.
Auburn has now had eight players drafted since 2019, after the program had only four draft picks in the 24 years prior. Ngoy gives Auburn a draft pick for the second straight year, after Johni Broome was taken in the second round in 2025 by the Philadelphia 76ers.
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