Auburn basketball is on the brink of a new era, and one player is poised to become the heart and soul of their resurgence. After a mass exodus from last season’s Final Four squad, the Tigers found themselves in a high-stakes game of reload-and-replace, aiming to rebuild a roster capable of dominating the relentless SEC. With only point guard Tahaad Pettiford returning from the previous lineup, the coaching staff faced a monumental task. But here’s where it gets exciting: Auburn didn’t just rebuild—they reloaded with a mix of transfer portal stars and high school phenoms, landing the nation’s ninth-best portal haul, according to 247Sports. At the center of this transformation? Keyshawn Hall, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward from UCF, who committed to the Tigers during their Final Four run in San Antonio. Hall wasn’t just a pickup—he was a statement. Last season, he led the Big 12 in scoring with 18.8 points per game and pulled down a team-high 7.1 rebounds, proving he’s a force to be reckoned with. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite his elite stats and undeniable talent, Hall remains criminally underrated. On3 Sports ranked him a mere 81st in their top 100 players list for the 2025-26 season. Is this a snub, or is the basketball world sleeping on a future superstar? Auburn head coach Steven Pearl thinks the latter. He sees Hall as a unique blend of past Tiger greats like Chuma Okeke, JT Thor, Jabari Smith, and Johni Broome, but with one standout skill: his ability to drive to the rim and finish through contact. ‘He’s got the mold of all those guys,’ Pearl said, ‘but his ball-handling and versatility set him apart.’ And this is the part most people miss: Hall’s free-throw prowess. He shot 81.6% from the line last season, setting a UCF record with 199 made free throws, including a staggering 14 against Oklahoma State. ‘He’s hungry,’ Pearl added, noting Hall’s motivation to prove the doubters wrong. Hall’s Auburn debut is set for Wednesday night in an exhibition game against Oklahoma State at Boutwell Auditorium, tipping off at 7 p.m. Will he live up to the hype? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: Keyshawn Hall is ready to feast. Don’t miss this story—subscribe to our newsletter for more updates, and let us know in the comments: Do you think Hall is underrated, or is the hype justified? Email [emailprotected] to connect with the author or share your thoughts.
