Update: Auburn Basketball’s busy offseason

Auburn Arena

Needless to say, the 2018 offseason has been a very busy one for the Auburn basketball program. Fans are starting to get very concerned with all the potential departures.

It is safe to say that there was going to be guys who decided to at least try their shot at the NBA. It has, though, shocked a lot of people with the sudden rapid decisions of players.

We expected Austin Wiley to go, and more or less Mustapha Heron. Heron is hiring an agent, so he will not be back. This is not very surprising, as it was reported by several people that he would be doing this.

First, let’s look at the guys that will not hire an agent. This means they can come back to school after the NBA scouting process.

Jared Harper

Harper averaged 13.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. These numbers may not jump off the page, but Jared was the floor general for the SEC’s best offensive team.

He should be back, and I expect him to be better than ever.

Bryce Brown

Bryce was a junior this past season, so it is not totally surprising he is trying it out. He was superb from behind the arc, and might get a look from teams who need outside shooting.

Austin Wiley

Sitting out this entire season, everyone knew Wiley was going to enter his name, but it is a good thing that he is not hiring an agent. He still has two more years of eligibility.

Out of these guys, I expect Harper and Brown to be back. For Austin Wiley, it is going to depend on what the scouts say after the combine, which he is projected to rise up draft boards.

Permanent Departures

For the players leaving immediately, it all starts with Mustapha Heron. He announced that he is hiring an agent, marking an end to his days at Auburn. Heron will be missed, being Auburn’s leading scorer the past two seasons and always making Auburn Arena stand to their feet.

Davion Mitchell and Desean Murray announced they were both transferring from the program, both in very surprising fashion.

This seems to be because of playing time, but with Harper putting his name in the draft, it is odd that Mitchell would leave being that he could be they guy at point guard next year.

Looking back, this offseason has already been very chaotic, and is not close to being over.

What’s next is the draft process, in which we will find out how the Tigers perform and see how NBA front offices value them. This will be the factor in which the decision to come back or not will be made.

Remember, don’t panic just yet. Let the process play out and trust that the players make the best decision for themselves and their futures. War Eagle!