Above the Rim: Pettiford hopes to lead Auburn back to 'promised land'

AUBURN, Ala. – Seeing a clear path to the rim, Tahaad Pettiford attacked with abandon, soaring for a two-handed slam, the exclamation point in a 27-point outing in Auburn’s 88-74 win Tuesday over LSU.

“Trying to get downhill, that’s what our coach preaches,” said the 6-1 sophomore point guard. “I saw a lane and I’ve been looking for that type of dunk all year, so I was finally glad to get one.”

Watching with approval in Neville Arena was the man who taught Tahaad to shoot with his left hand, who played him against older kids growing up, and helped him stay level-headed remains a constant in his life. 

His father, Travis Pettiford. 

“Having somebody I can call anytime I need something,” Tahaad said. “When times get hard, somebody that’s close to me. I can talk to him about anything at any time. He’s at every game, every practice, he’s here to support me. Having that father figure in my life means a lot.”

In the Pettiford home in New Jersey, there were no participation trophies. 

“Definitely tough love,” Tahaad said. “Wanting the best for me, pushing to my limit to try to make me the best player I can be.”

The lone scholarship returner from Auburn’s 2025 Final Four and SEC championship team, Pettiford averages 32 minutes per game, 10 more than last season as a freshman.

“Trying to become a more complete player,” he said. “Become a leader, a guy who does whatever the team needs to win.”

Last season, Pettiford averaged 11.6 points off the bench for a seasoned team that started five seniors. This season, he’s shouldering more of the scoring load, averaging 15.1 points per game. 

“Last year was more of a role where I needed to be the spark for the team,” he said. “This year, trying to be a leader, guide guys and try to get some more wins.”

Auburn’s primary ballhandler on nearly every possession, Pettiford has logged an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2 -to-1 in SEC play while totaling four seven-assist games against conference foes. 

“Trying to slow the game down, playing our style of basketball,” he said. “Being a point guard, you have to lessen turnovers. Make possessions more valuable for our team to help us win. I try to value possessions as much as I can, feed guys when they’re open and make the right decision.”

Pettiford appreciates the responsibility that comes with being the face of the program. 

“Communicating with somebody new every single day,” he said. “Anywhere I go, I try to interact with at least one person. You never know, a hi can change somebody’s day. Trying to make new connections anywhere I go.”

Against one of the nation’s toughest schedules, Auburn has earned three top 20 wins over No. 5 Florida, No. 18 St. John’s and No. 20 Arkansas, along with victories over NCAA Tournament-bound opponents Kentucky, Texas and NC State, proving to Pettiford that the Tigers are capable of another postseason run, should Auburn receive a bid.  

“Try to finish out strong, do what we need to do to get to the tournament and then go from there,” he said. 

At the top of every opponent’s scouting report, Tahaad Pettiford embraces that target, knowing his production at basketball’s most important position is one of the keys to propelling Auburn back into the thick of March Madness.  

“Trying to get some more wins,” he said. “Take us to the promised land.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer