Quotes of Note: Steven Pearl talks eligibility, Auburn’s start to practice
Fall practices are underway for the Auburn Tigers just less than one month away from their exhibition games in the middle of October.
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The Tigers are entering the second year of the Steven Pearl era, seeking to make a progression after finishing the 2025-2026 campaign by winning the NIT championship in Indianapolis.
Now with another host of new faces and two key returners in Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, Pearl’s squad looks to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.
Pearl held an availability with the media prior to the start of the first fall practice. Here are some of his most notable quotes from the session.
On the eligibility of Mantas Rubštavičius, Narcisse Ngoy and Kolby King:
“We're actively working with the NCAA on Mantas and Narcisse and their eligibility, and we're hoping to have answers soon on both of them. And then with Kolby, Kolby is still currently in litigation in the Ohio case. All three of those guys, we’re hoping to get some sort of answers or clarity within the coming weeks. Until then, that's really all the updates we have on them.”
On where the most progress has been since June:
“With this team specifically, this team has spent a lot of time together. This team's been very connected. I think this team has really competed. But every week, it’s somebody new, which I think is really encouraging, that makes a real stride. I think as a group, can't really pinpoint one thing that we're just really, really improving on. We'll have really good defensive days and we'll have really good offensive days. It's kind of a kind of work in progress right now.”
On the value of having Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton back:
“Yeah, it's an area that I'll continue to challenge especially (Kevin Overton) and (Tahaad Pettiford). Just continue to use your voice. Because here's the deal: When they talk, I listen, right? And I think it's really important for the newcomers that we have to hear them and let those guys be very vulnerable in tough situations in practice, because they know what it looks like, and they know what it needs to be. They know my expectations, and they know my standard.”
On what he wants to see in the next few weeks before the exhibition games:
“Obviously, defensively is an area that we need to really make strides in because that’s an area where we really struggled. We have real rim protection this year, but only if those guys are actually gonna rotate over and block shots. We’ve seen the ability of them to do so, but there’s also times where they take possessions off when they get tired.”
On what Caleb Williams has been like:
“He just doesn't take plays off. He's really intentional. He really works hard. He's one of our hardest workers. Offensively, he's not afraid of contact. He's not afraid to mix it up defensively. He doesn't look or play like a freshman. Does that mean it's going to be automatic success for him in playing time this year? No. But I feel like he's in a really good spot to go out there and compete and have an opportunity to play for us this year.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
