Birmingham, Ala. Auburn’s outstanding big man shut down concerns about his health with an early display of brilliance in a game that demonstrated both domination and resiliency. A shocking three-pointer from the preseason All-American was made just 78 seconds into the Tigers’ 87-69 thumping of No. 16 Purdue, marking the return of Auburn’s star and their swagger.
Coming off an injury scare that left Auburn fans and coaches holding their breath, the player, who had briefly considered jumping to the NBA before opting for one more season, erased concerns about his shoulder with an inspired performance. Despite waking up on some mornings doubting his ability to even suit up, he delivered when it mattered most.
The Tigers, ranked No. 2 in the nation, now enjoy extra recovery time before their Dec. 30 matchup against Monmouth, and their top performer has more than earned the breather. This follows a jaw-dropping outing just days earlier against Ohio State, where he racked up 21 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks in only 26 minutes.
Head coach Bruce Pearl, never shy about hyping his players, called the star a “national player of the year candidate.” Pearl noted an early defensive lapse during the Purdue game but praised his quick response: “After his first rotation, he locked in and played outstanding defense the rest of the way.”
Even Purdue head coach Matt Painter was effusive in his praise, acknowledging the player’s dominance as uncontainable without double-teams: “He’s a great player, and they’re a great team. He’s real, and they’re real.”
The injury, sustained just two minutes into a game against Georgia State days earlier, had raised significant concerns. But after medical reassurances that further damage was unlikely, the decision to play proved rewarding for both the team and its star.
The Auburn big man remarked, “Hitting that first three and hearing the crowd go wild—it was the reassurance I needed to play freely again,” in reference to his pregame confidence boost.
Auburn’s decisive victory against Purdue as the season progresses makes it abundantly evident to their SEC and national competitors that the Tigers and its tenacious star are prepared for whatever lies next.
