Auburn basketball is set to lose one of its young backcourt players, as freshman point guard Kaden Magwood has announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. The news comes after a relatively short stint with the Tigers, during which Magwood appeared in just 20 games during his first collegiate season.
Magwood, a former 4-star recruit, shared his decision publicly on social media Wednesday morning, signaling his intent to explore new opportunities elsewhere. During his freshman campaign, he averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 assists per game, showing flashes of potential but struggling to secure a consistent role within the team’s rotation.
Early in the season, Magwood served as Auburn’s primary backup point guard throughout nonconference play. His role briefly expanded when he was inserted into the starting lineup for the Tigers’ first two SEC matchups. This change came as a result of Tahaad Pettiford being moved to the bench due to a suspension. However, Magwood’s time as a starter was short-lived, as he was removed from the lineup by the third conference game.
Head coach Bruce Pearl did not initially provide a clear explanation for the decision to bench Magwood. Early comments pointed to off-the-court disciplinary issues, while later remarks suggested concerns about his defensive performance. These mixed signals created some uncertainty around Magwood’s standing within the program and may have contributed to his eventual decision to move on.
Tensions appeared to surface publicly as well. In January, Magwood posted a message on Instagram that seemed to question Pearl’s coaching decisions. Although the post was later deleted, it hinted at frustration from the young guard during a difficult stretch of the season. Not long after, Magwood fell out of the rotation entirely and did not appear in any games from early January onward.
Despite that absence, Magwood was given another opportunity late in the season when Auburn participated in the NIT. He returned to action and played in all five of the Tigers’ games during their tournament run. In the opening matchup against South Alabama, Magwood delivered his best performance of the season, scoring a career-high 14 points and showing the offensive ability that made him a highly regarded recruit out of high school.
Following that performance, Pearl expressed encouragement about Magwood’s progress, noting that he had responded positively to challenges and was motivated to improve. The coach even remarked that strong performances from Magwood would ultimately benefit the team, even if they reflected earlier decisions in a different light.
Now, with his freshman season behind him, Magwood has decided to seek a fresh start. His departure marks another change for Auburn’s roster, as he becomes the second player to enter the transfer portal this offseason, joining freshman forward Filip Jović.
While Magwood’s time at Auburn was brief and somewhat turbulent, he showed glimpses of promise that could make him an intriguing addition for another program. A change of environment may provide him with a better opportunity to grow, develop his skills, and establish a more consistent role at the collegiate level.
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