Elyjah Freeman discusses future with Auburn after NIT Championship win

Auburn basketball has plenty to celebrate as it just won its first NIT championship after being snubbed for an NCAA Tournament bid. However, roster building for the 2026-27 season begins now, as the NCAA Transfer Portal window for college basketball opens on Tuesday, April 7. Auburn head coach Steven Pearl will meet with every underclassman over the next few days to discuss the season and their future with the program.

While several players' futures with Auburn are unclear, one player appears ready to help Auburn return to the NCAA Tournament next season. After Auburn's 92-86 overtime win over Tulsa on Sunday, several players were asked about their plans for next season, including guard Elyjah Freeman, who hauled in 14 rebounds for the Tigers in the NIT Championship win. According to Justin Hokanson of Auburn Rivals , Freeman had two words to say in response to a question about his status for next season.

"Locked in. " The news of Freeman's possible return is great for Auburn, as his "team-first" mentality played a role in the Tigers' deep postseason run. Freeman appeared in all 38 games, but he made just 21 starts, mostly due to his willingness to play bench minutes in exchange for freshman Sebastian Williams-Adams to receive starter minutes in several games this season, mostly in the middle of the season.

In his first season on the Plains, the Lincoln Memorial transfer scored 9. 2 points per game while hauling in 5. 2 rebounds and recording 1.