Auburn Basketball’s Rising Star Faces Shocking DUI Arrest – What Happened Behind the Wheel?
“We are aware of the situation, and we will handle it internally with Tahaad and his family,” the four-time SEC Coach of the Year said. “We take these matters seriously and will learn and grow from it moving forward.”
Because Pettiford is just 19 years old, his blood alcohol level would only have to be 0.02 percent to be considered illegal in Alabama. His bail is set at ,000. Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl issued a statement following the arrest.a]:text-link [&_>a]:underline”>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints, providing a unique writing voice due to his in-depth knowledge of New York sports. Alex resides in Connecticut after receiving his journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island.Tahaad Pettiford—the name Auburn fans reverberate with pride, the kid who lit up the court as a Freshman All-SEC honoree and powered the Tigers to one of the most memorable Final Four runs in school history. But just as his star was ascending, an unexpected shadow fell: early Saturday in Lee County, Alabama, Pettiford found himself behind bars on suspicion of DUI, a serious charge given he’s only 19, with a legal blood alcohol limit that’s just 0.02 percent. The news hits hard—because this is more than just statistics or headlines. It’s about a young athlete grappling with the pressures of the spotlight, the expectations, and now, the realities of an arrest that could ripple through his promising career. Bruce Pearl, Auburn’s seasoned head coach and a man no stranger to navigating storms, has pledged to handle the matter privately with Pettiford and his family, underscoring the gravity and sensitivity of the situation. What comes next for Pettiford and Auburn’s community remains uncertain, with the new season on the horizon and plenty of questions looming. From stellar NCAA performances to a prospective future in the NBA, Pettiford’s journey is at a crossroads—one that commands our attention, empathy, and a watchful eye moving forward. LEARN MORE.Auburn basketball standout Tahaad Pettiford, who made the All-SEC Freshman Team and helped the Tigers advance to their second Final Four in program history, was arrested early Saturday morning on a DUI charge in Lee County, Alabama, per ESPN’s Myron Medcalf.There is always a possibility he faces disciplinary action, though. Pearl and the rest of the program will likely try to glean more information from Pettiford’s arrest before deciding how to proceed. The Tigers officially begin practice for next season this September.Tahaad Pettiford scored at least 20 points in back-to-back NCAA Tournament games, catching the eye of scouts. He declared for the NBA Draft and participated in the Combine but ultimately withdrew his name from consideration in May. The Jersey City, New Jersey native is returning to Auburn basketball and is expected to be one of the top guards in the country during the 2025-26 campaign.
The Tigers community will wait to see how the team decides to handle this situation. Pettiford scored 11.6 points on 42.1 percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent shooting from 3-point range last season. He also led Auburn with 3.0 assists despite averaging just 22.9 minutes per contest. The 2024 McDonald’s All-American did not command the national attention that SEC Player of the Year Johni Broome did, but he was arguably the X-factor of Pearl’s squad.
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