Under head coach Bruce Pearl, Auburn has brought in plenty of notable talent. Through the years, many memorable names have donned the orange and blue. Auburn prides itself on being one big family and today, we will take a look at what former Auburn basketball players are doing currently.
Mustapha Heron 2016-2018
Heron was one of the first five-star athletes to join Auburn under Bruce Pearl. In his two seasons with the Tigers, Heron led the team in scoring, averaging 15.2 and 16.4 points per game respectively.
The guard earned SEC All-Freshman honors and was voted to the AP All-SEC second team. Heron’s work off the court was also acknowledged as he was named to the SEC All-Community Service team.
After his sophomore year with Auburn, Heron made the decision to transfer to St. John's to be closer to his mother. Heron played two seasons for the Red Storm averaging 14.6 and 13.8 points per game respectively.
After going undrafted in 2020, Heron signed with the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League. Currently, Heron plays overseas for the Zalakerámia ZTE, a Hungarian-based team that plays in the league Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A.
Austin Wiley 2016-2020
Along with Heron, Wiley was among the first five-star athletes to play for Bruce Pearl at Auburn. After being ruled ineligible for his sophomore year, Wiley bounced back the following year and played a key role as the Tigers’ starting center in their 2019 Final Four run.
Entering his senior year, Wiley was voted preseason All-SEC, averaged 10.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft Wiley went overseas to continue his playing career. Wiley is currently a member of Gladiators Trier of the German ProA basketball league.
Samir Doughty 2018-2020
After serving as a key role player in 2018-2019, Doughty elevated his play the following season averaging 16.7 points per game. Additionally, Doughty earned votes from coaches to be named to the All-SEC First Team and the Associated Press named him to the All-SEC Second Team.
Following his career at Auburn, Doughty was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA G League draft by the Iowa Wolves who immediately traded him to the Lakeland Magic, the affiliate of the Orlando Magic. Doughty is currently a free agent.
Jared Harper 2016-2019
Harper enjoyed a stellar career at Auburn where he earned Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2018 and 2019.
Harper went undrafted in 2019, but received an invite to play for the Phoenix Suns in the Summer League where he earned a roster spot. Harper spent the next year alternating time from the Suns and their G League affiliate before being waived.
The Knicks picked up Harper and he appeared in 4 games, and 12 games with their G League affiliate the Westchester Knicks. Harper is currently on the Birmingham Squadron, the G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, where he currently averages 21.8 points, 7.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Bryce Brown 2015-2019
Brown’s time at Auburn featured many great accomplishments, including two-time All-SEC and an SEC Tournament MVP award. Brown is also the Tigers’ leader in all-time made 3-pointers.
Following his career at Auburn, Brown was not selected in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Brown played for the Sacramento Kings Summer League team and shortly after he was signed by the Maine Red Claws, the G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics. During his time with the Red Claws, Brown shot 11-for-11 from 3-point range in a game, setting a franchise record.
The following year Brown signed with the New York Knicks and was assigned to their G League team in early 2021, briefly reuniting him with Jared Harper. The Long Island Nets acquired Brown’s player rights on September 23, 2021. He currently averages 13.4 points for the team.
Chuma Okeke 2017-2019
After playing a pivotal role in Auburn’s historic 2019 Final Four run, Okeke was selected 16th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. Okeke did not play his first year in the NBA due to an injury sustained in the NCAA Tournament. Okeke returned to action during the 2020-21 season averaging 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. In the most recent NBA season, Okeke averaged 8.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
Isaac Okoro 2019-2020
Okoro’s accolades at Auburn included SEC All-Freshman, Second-team All-SEC, and SEC All-Defensive team. After his freshman season, Okoro was selected 5th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his rookie year with Cleveland, Okoro averaged 9.6 points, 1.9 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
JT Thor 2020-2021
After his freshman season at Auburn, Thor was selected with the 37th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons, who traded him to the Charlotte Hornets. Shortly after, Thor was assigned to the Hornet’s G League affiliate, the Greensboro Storm.
In his debut, Thor put up 34 points and 12 rebounds against the Birmingham Squadron. Thor appeared in 9 games for the Swarm averaging 12.2 points before being recalled to join the Hornets in March 2022.
Sharife Cooper 2020-2021
In 12 games with the Tigers, Cooper averaged 20.2 points, 8.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. Additionally, Cooper was named to the SEC All-Freshman team.
Cooper was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 48th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Throughout his rookie year, Cooper split time between the Hawks and their G League team, the College Park Skyhawks. Cooper averaged 16.3 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Skyhawks. In March 2022, Cooper was recalled to join the Hawks' active roster.
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