‘Building a rapport’: Auburn hosts 27 NBA teams for Pro Day

‘Building a rapport’: Auburn hosts 27 NBA teams for Pro Day‘Building a rapport’: Auburn hosts 27 NBA teams for Pro Day
Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn men's basketball team held its Pro Day on Friday, and there were some notable names in attendance. Charles Barkley, who spoke to the team before they took the court, watched from the stands. As did ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg and fellow SEC Network analyst and former Auburn player Daymeon Fishback. 

More importantly, though, 27 of the 30 NBA teams were represented at Auburn Arena. 

"Our job is to help these guys do whatever is next," Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. "So for me, this is like having the big five accounting firms – all of them in here recruiting our accountants. It's like having the best architectural firms in the country coming to the School of Engineering. That's what this is. You have 27 NBA clubs represented today looking at Auburn students about basketball. This is what we do."

Allen Flanigan and Walker Kessler, two of the more notable NBA prospects on Auburn's roster, were unable to participate due to injury. Flanigan is still recovering from an Achilles injury while Kessler continues to make progress from a concussion he suffered recently. 

But it was an opportunity for the others to showcase their skills, including top returners Jaylin Williams and Devan Cambridge as well as a bevy of new additions. 

6-foot-10 freshman Jabari Smith is a projected lottery pick in next year's NBA draft. 



The Auburn program has had at least one player selected in the draft in each of the last three years, and former Tigers Chuma Okeke and Isaac Okoro have each carved out a significant role with their respective teams. Okoro, the No. 5 pick overall in 2019, was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after a standout season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

"We're building a rapport with these clubs," Pearl said. "They're watching Sharife (Cooper) know every which way of how to handle a ball screen. Isaac Okoro and Chuma Okeke are two of the best defensive players in the league at their positions. They have great individual ability, but they've been taught. 

"I think these guys know what they're going to get when they get an Auburn player."

The 2021-22 season tips off in less than a month. The Tigers will open the slate on Nov. 5 with an exhibition game at home against Southern Indiana.