Here’s a refined 300‑word report on the situation:
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Auburn Basketball Standout Tahaad Pettiford Arrested on DUI Charges
Auburn University freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford, 19, was arrested in Lee County, Alabama, on the morning of July 12, 2025, on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). Jail records indicate he was booked just before dawn and released later that day upon posting a $1,000 bond .
Pettiford, who hadn’t yet reached Alabama’s minimum legal drinking age of 21, is subject to a lower threshold for blood-alcohol concentration (BAC)—just 0.02%—making any measurable amount an offense . Authorities have not made his exact BAC figure public.
In the wake of his release, Auburn’s head coach, Bruce Pearl, issued a statement confirming the program was “aware of the situation” and would address it internally with Pettiford and his family, emphasizing the team takes such incidents seriously .
The young guard responded with a heartfelt apology via his Instagram story, writing:
> “Last night, I made a serious mistake … I’m committed to learning from this moment and making meaningful, positive changes in my life. … I will work to earn back the trust I’ve lost.”
Pettiford’s talent is well-documented. A Jersey City native, he was a McDonald’s All‑American and a top‑ranked recruit in the 2024 class, and he earned a spot on the SEC All‑Freshman Team, averaging 11.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 rebounds over 38 games—helping propel Auburn to a No. 1 NCAA seed and a Final Four appearance .
Earlier in 2025, he briefly entered the NBA Draft process, withdrew to return for his sophomore year, and is projected as a likely preseason All‑American .
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Coach Pearl and Auburn are expected to determine any disciplinary action. Pettiford faces potential legal penalties depending on the outcome of the DUI proceedings. As a rising star and likely future NBA talent, this incident marks a significant personal and professional challenge — one he has publicly committed to confront
ing with maturity.
