Auburn Basketball Star Tahaad Pettiford Arrested on DUI Charge
Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford is facing legal trouble after being arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to a report by ESPN’s Myron Medcalf. The incident took place in Lee County, Alabama. Pettiford was taken into custody but was released by midday.
Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl addressed the situation in a statement to ESPN, saying, “We are aware of the situation, and we will handle it internally with Tahaad and his family. We take these matters seriously and will learn and grow from it moving forward.”
Pettiford, 19, had a standout freshman season with Auburn, averaging 11.6 points and 3.0 assists per game. He played a key role in leading the Tigers to a 32-6 record, earning them a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a run to the Final Four.
After initially declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, Pettiford ultimately withdrew and decided to return to Auburn for his sophomore season. He is projected as a potential first-round pick in 2026 and is already being mentioned as a contender for SEC Player of the Year honors.
With Johni Broome now in the NBA—selected in the second round by the Philadelphia 76ers—and fellow guard Miles Kelly also turning pro, Pettiford is expected to take on a larger role next season. He’s widely anticipated to be the Tigers’ top scoring option.
While Pettiford made headlines during March Madness for his on-court heroics and memorable moments, he now faces a different kind of challenge off the court as he works to move past this incident.
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