Freshman guard Simon Walker is set to return to the court for Auburn men’s basketball after announcing the decision on Instagram and X early Thursday afternoon. Walker is the second Tiger to announce his return for next season.
Walker’s decision provides a boost to Auburn’s roster as the program looks to find its rhythm for the 2026-27 season. A former four-star recruit from Huntsville, Alabama, Walker was ranked the No. 2 player in the state in last year’s class. Walker played as a true freshman in the 2025-26 season and, after navigating a foot injury early in the year, showed his potential in limited game-time action, playing 66 total minutes in 13 games and averaging 2.5 points while shooting 57.1% from the field.
Despite a limited sample size, Walker made the most of his opportunities. In a standout performance against Jackson State, Walker scored 15 points in seven minutes, knocking down five 3-pointers without a miss and displaying his efficient shooting ability at the college level. The performance served as an early indication of Walker’s potential, particularly his ability to provide an offensive spark off the bench.
With two other freshmen, Kaden Magwood and Filip Jović, entering the transfer portal following the 2025-26 season, Walker’s return to the program becomes even more significant for Auburn’s depth, especially with Kevin Overton returning alongside him.
His return will not only stabilize Auburn’s backcourt but also give head coach Steven Pearl another scoring option to develop heading into next season. As Walker continues his growth into the 2026-27 season, he is expected to play a more consistent role and could become a key contributor for the Tigers next year.
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Lila is a freshman majoring in journalism sports production. She started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2025.
