Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl Urges Young Players to Step Up

Pearl says Sebastian Williams-Adams and Elyjah Freeman need to be more vocal leaders as Tigers fight for NCAA Tournament bid

Feb. 27, 2026 at 7:20pm

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Auburn head basketball coach Bruce Pearl called on his younger players, specifically Sebastian Williams-Adams and Elyjah Freeman, to become more vocal leaders as the Tigers look to secure an NCAA Tournament bid with just three regular-season games remaining. Pearl said his team needs more assertive voices, especially after an uninspired loss at Oklahoma following a weekend win over Kentucky.

Why it matters

Auburn is firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble after an up-and-down season, and Pearl believes his younger players need to step up and push their teammates to be better if the Tigers want to make a late-season push for the Big Dance.

The details

Pearl said he wants Williams-Adams and Freeman to "use your voice now. Don't wait until the offseason. Don't wait until next year." The coach acknowledged that being a vocal leader is "easier said than done" for young players in the current era, but said it's something he wants the two to "really work on." Despite making a lot of plays and playing hard, Pearl said the two need to earn more respect from their teammates through their vocal leadership.

  • Auburn followed up a weekend win against Kentucky with a loss at Oklahoma on Tuesday night.
  • The Tigers have only three regular-season games remaining before the postseason.

The players

Bruce Pearl

The head basketball coach of the Auburn Tigers.

Sebastian Williams-Adams

A young player on the Auburn basketball team that Pearl wants to become a more vocal leader.

Elyjah Freeman

Another young player on the Auburn basketball team that Pearl wants to become a more vocal leader.

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What they’re saying

“Use your voice now. Don't wait until the offseason. Don't wait until next year.”

— Bruce Pearl, Head Coach

“That's easier said than done, especially in today's day and age. That's just not something that's naturally instilled in young men right now. That's something I want both of those guys to really work on.”

— Bruce Pearl, Head Coach

What’s next

The Tigers have three regular-season games remaining before the postseason, where they will look to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges young players can face in stepping up as vocal leaders, even when their coaches recognize the need for them to do so. Auburn's postseason hopes could hinge on whether players like Williams-Adams and Freeman are able to answer Pearl's call and provide more assertive leadership down the stretch.