Auburn Loses Star Player Elyjah Freeman to Transfer Portal

Freeman's departure comes amid coaching change and disappointing season for Tigers basketball.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:43am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the silhouette of a basketball player in motion, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of navy blue, orange, and white.The departure of star player Elyjah Freeman leaves Auburn's basketball program in a state of flux, as the team navigates a coaching change and roster turnover.Auburn Today

Elyjah Freeman, a standout freshman for the Auburn Tigers basketball team, has entered the NCAA transfer portal after just one season with the program. This move comes in the wake of a disappointing 17-16 campaign for the Tigers, who failed to make the NCAA Tournament, and the retirement of longtime head coach Bruce Pearl, who has been replaced by his son, Steven Pearl.

Why it matters

Freeman's transfer is a significant blow to the Auburn basketball program, which is now tasked with rebuilding under new leadership. The departure raises questions about the team's chemistry and culture, as well as the challenges of retaining top talent in the era of the transfer portal.

The details

Freeman, a highly touted recruit out of Lincoln Memorial, was expected to be a key contributor for the Tigers this past season. However, the team's struggles and failure to reach the NCAA Tournament may have influenced his decision to explore other options. The timing of his transfer also coincides with the coaching change, as Steven Pearl takes over the program from his father, Bruce, who had been the head coach since 2014.

  • Elyjah Freeman entered the NCAA transfer portal on April 10, 2026.
  • The 2025-26 season saw Auburn finish with a 17-16 record and miss the NCAA Tournament.
  • Bruce Pearl retired as Auburn's head coach in March 2026, with his son Steven Pearl taking over the program.

The players

Elyjah Freeman

A standout freshman who played one season for the Auburn Tigers basketball team before entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Bruce Pearl

The former head coach of the Auburn Tigers basketball team, who retired in March 2026 after leading the program since 2014.

Steven Pearl

The new head coach of the Auburn Tigers basketball team, taking over for his father, Bruce Pearl.

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What they’re saying

“We're disappointed to see Elyjah leave, but we understand his desire to explore other opportunities. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

— Steven Pearl, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers

What’s next

Steven Pearl and the Auburn coaching staff will now focus on rebuilding the roster and establishing a new identity for the program, with the goal of returning the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

Elyjah Freeman's transfer from Auburn highlights the growing influence of the NCAA transfer portal and the challenges facing college basketball programs in an era of increased player mobility. The Tigers must now navigate a coaching change and roster turnover as they look to regain their footing in the SEC.