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Auburn basketball is close to filling out its 2025-26 roster with summer on the horizon.
Auburn has landed four transfer portal targets and two more from the JUCO ranks. However, there is one more need to fill: center.
In a recent interview with the Auburn Sports Network, head coach Bruce Pearl said he needs another center to fill out his roster. Who are the worthy candidates that Pearl could target to fill the role?
One target is former Louisville forward James Scott, who recently visited Auburn. Following his visit, Scott shared his thoughts on Auburn's track record of developing big men.
"It's a big deal because the proof is in the pudding. You can see it with your eyes," Scott said in an interview with Auburn Undercover. "They're not just saying it. I can see it, it's factual."
Scott appears to be a great fit for Auburn, but Pearl is battling Chris Beard and the Ole Miss Rebels for his signature. Should Auburn lose the battle, who are other worthy candidates to fill the slot? Here are the five best centers that remain in the transfer portal.
Wilson stepped into a starting role at Queens this season, where he averaged 22 minutes per game on the floor. He posted similar numbers to outgoing center Dylan Cardwell by scoring 5.2 points and hauling in 5.0 rebounds per contest, compared to Cardwell's 5.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. He brings size at 7-0, 215 pounds, and one year on the Plains could aid the development of JUCO transfer Emeka Opurum.
Another seven-footer, Vander Baan began his career at Boston College before playing the last three seasons at Lafayette. In three years, Vander Baan averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, with his strongest season taking place last year. As a senior at Lafayette, Vander Baan averaged 12.5 points and 7.0 boards per game with six double-doubles. If size is a factor, Vander Baan has the advantage over Wilson. Although both stand at 7-0, Vander Baan weighs 240 pounds compared to Wilson at 215. His size could be a major factor in Auburn's ability to attack the rim.
Sparks earned honorable mention honors from the MAC last season after averaging 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Ball State Cardinals. He had a solid career at Ball State by scoring 13.1 points and hauling in 8.3 rebounds in three seasons. After starting his career at Ball State, he transferred to Indiana for his junior season before making his way back to Muncie for his senior campaign. It appears that Sparks is ready to re-enter the Power Five scene, and Auburn could be the place for him.
Coulibaly began his career at USC before making his way to Malibu, where he played the last three seasons. The 2024-25 season was his first as an everyday starter, and he excelled by scoring 9.7 points and bringing in 6.9 rebounds. Coulibaly logged four double-doubles last season, with his most impressive one coming against Oregon State in February, where he scored 20 points and recorded 11 rebounds.
If Auburn elects to stay within the SEC for this role, similar to their tactic with Keshawn Murphy, Gray could be a viable option. Gray started 16 games for Missouri last season, averaging 3.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15 minutes per contest. He reached the 10-point mark once, in a win over Mississippi State in February.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn basketball transfer portal options: best centers available
Continue reading...
Auburn has landed four transfer portal targets and two more from the JUCO ranks. However, there is one more need to fill: center.
In a recent interview with the Auburn Sports Network, head coach Bruce Pearl said he needs another center to fill out his roster. Who are the worthy candidates that Pearl could target to fill the role?
One target is former Louisville forward James Scott, who recently visited Auburn. Following his visit, Scott shared his thoughts on Auburn's track record of developing big men.
"It's a big deal because the proof is in the pudding. You can see it with your eyes," Scott said in an interview with Auburn Undercover. "They're not just saying it. I can see it, it's factual."
Scott appears to be a great fit for Auburn, but Pearl is battling Chris Beard and the Ole Miss Rebels for his signature. Should Auburn lose the battle, who are other worthy candidates to fill the slot? Here are the five best centers that remain in the transfer portal.
Malcolm Wilson, Queens University
Wilson stepped into a starting role at Queens this season, where he averaged 22 minutes per game on the floor. He posted similar numbers to outgoing center Dylan Cardwell by scoring 5.2 points and hauling in 5.0 rebounds per contest, compared to Cardwell's 5.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. He brings size at 7-0, 215 pounds, and one year on the Plains could aid the development of JUCO transfer Emeka Opurum.
Justin Vander Baan, Lafayette
Another seven-footer, Vander Baan began his career at Boston College before playing the last three seasons at Lafayette. In three years, Vander Baan averaged 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, with his strongest season taking place last year. As a senior at Lafayette, Vander Baan averaged 12.5 points and 7.0 boards per game with six double-doubles. If size is a factor, Vander Baan has the advantage over Wilson. Although both stand at 7-0, Vander Baan weighs 240 pounds compared to Wilson at 215. His size could be a major factor in Auburn's ability to attack the rim.
Payton Sparks, Ball State
Sparks earned honorable mention honors from the MAC last season after averaging 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Ball State Cardinals. He had a solid career at Ball State by scoring 13.1 points and hauling in 8.3 rebounds in three seasons. After starting his career at Ball State, he transferred to Indiana for his junior season before making his way back to Muncie for his senior campaign. It appears that Sparks is ready to re-enter the Power Five scene, and Auburn could be the place for him.
Boubacar Coulibaly, Pepperdine
Coulibaly began his career at USC before making his way to Malibu, where he played the last three seasons. The 2024-25 season was his first as an everyday starter, and he excelled by scoring 9.7 points and bringing in 6.9 rebounds. Coulibaly logged four double-doubles last season, with his most impressive one coming against Oregon State in February, where he scored 20 points and recorded 11 rebounds.
Josh Gray, Missouri
If Auburn elects to stay within the SEC for this role, similar to their tactic with Keshawn Murphy, Gray could be a viable option. Gray started 16 games for Missouri last season, averaging 3.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 15 minutes per contest. He reached the 10-point mark once, in a win over Mississippi State in February.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn basketball transfer portal options: best centers available
Continue reading...
