Auburn basketball star Tahaad Pettiford arrested on DUI charge

Tahaad Pettiford, the lone returning player from Auburn’s historic 2025 Final Four squad, was arrested early Saturday morning by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. 

The 19-year-old was booked at midnight on Saturday and released on a $1,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office database. Although no blood-alcohol content (BAC) was reported, in Alabama, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to have a blood-alcohol level exceeding 0.02%.

"We are aware of the situation, and we will handle it internally with Tahaad and his family," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said in a statement to ESPN. "We take these matters seriously and will learn and grow from it moving forward."

In his freshman season on The Plains, the guard played a key role in leading the Tigers to their second-ever Final Four appearance, averaging 11.6 points per game off the bench while shooting 36.6% from three-point range.

The Jersey City, NJ, native rose to the occasion in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 15.2 points per game. His signature performance came in the Tigers’ second-half comeback win over Michigan in the Sweet 16, where he scored 15 points down the stretch.

After declaring for the NBA Draft on April 7, Pettiford impressed at the NBA Combine, recording a 42-inch vertical jump, the highest recorded by any prospect in attendance. However, after mulling over his options for more than a month, he decided to return to Auburn for his sophomore season, hoping for a higher selection next year.

After being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, Pettiford is expected to be one of the top players in college basketball next season. However, it remains unclear whether he will face any disciplinary action from the program.