Breaking: Auburn Tigers Basketball Suffers Major Blow as Veteran 5-Star Guard Officially Departs for Rival Program

Former Auburn guard  has officially found his next destination in the transfer portal, landing with Murray State after spending one season with the Tigers. His move gives the former Auburn backcourt player a fresh opportunity to continue his college career with one of the more respected programs at the mid-major level.

According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Magwood has committed to Murray State, where he will reunite with a familiar face from his Auburn days. Former Auburn head coach Tony Barbee recently joined Murray State’s staff as associate head coach and defensive coordinator, creating a natural connection for Magwood as he searched for a new program. The prior relationship between player and coach likely played a role in helping facilitate the transfer.

Magwood was among the first Auburn players to enter the transfer portal this offseason, announcing his decision on April 8. He was the second Tiger to do so, following forward Filip Jovic. While his departure was one of Auburn’s earliest portal losses, it took some time before he finalized his next destination.

During his lone season at Auburn, Magwood served primarily as a reserve guard but still managed to carve out a role in the rotation. He appeared in 20 games for the Tigers and made two starts, averaging 3.6 points and 10.6 minutes per contest. Though his playing time fluctuated throughout the year, he showed flashes of offensive potential whenever given opportunities.

His best outing of the season came in Auburn’s NIT opener against South Alabama on March 17, when he erupted for a season-high 14 points. That performance was particularly notable because it came after Magwood had missed roughly two months of action, making his strong return even more encouraging. Earlier in the regular season, he delivered another solid performance in Auburn’s victory over Wofford on November 11, scoring nine points in what stood as one of his better games during conference play.

Despite those flashes, Magwood never fully secured a major role in Auburn’s crowded backcourt rotation, leading to his decision to seek a fresh start elsewhere. At Murray State, he should have a stronger opportunity to compete for meaningful minutes and potentially take on a larger offensive role.

Magwood becomes the latest Auburn transfer to find a new home this offseason as the Tigers continue navigating major roster changes. Other departing Auburn players who have already committed elsewhere include Filip Jovic to UCLA, Sebastian Williams-Adams to Vanderbilt, and Elujah Freeman to Texas. Meanwhile, Abdul Bashir and Emeka Opurum remain in the portal as they continue exploring their options.

Although Auburn has lost several contributors, head coach Bruce Pearl and his staff have been active in rebuilding the roster. The Tigers have added multiple frontcourt pieces through the portal, including Bukky Oboye from Santa Clara, Thomas Dowd from Troy, and Adam Olsen from South Alabama. Those additions should help reinforce Auburn’s size and interior depth heading into next season.

Looking ahead, Auburn’s roster will still feature key returning contributors Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, both of whom are expected to play major roles in the 2026–27 campaign. With Auburn aiming for another NCAA Tournament appearance, the program is counting on its returning talent and transfer additions to offset the offseason departures.

As for Magwood, his move to Murray State offers a new beginning and a chance to expand his role. With familiarity in the coaching staff and more opportunity available, he’ll look to make the most of his second collegiate stop.

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