Auburn University is set to open its 2026‑27 basketball campaign with an exhibition matchup against Florida State in Birmingham, a game that will showcase the Tigers’ newly assembled backcourt.
Among the fresh faces is Kolby King, a Utah State transfer who brings a blend of scoring ability and defensive tenacity that coaches hope will translate into immediate impact.
King arrives after a standout season in which he helped the Aggies finish 29‑7 and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament, averaging 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting efficiently from multiple positions.
The guard’s journey has taken him through stops at Tulane, Butler and Utah State, making this his fifth collegiate program and underscoring his adaptability in different systems.
Coaches have highlighted his capacity to score at all three levels, create opportunities for teammates and contribute on the glass, traits that could prove vital as the Tigers aim to deepen their rotation.
A versatile backcourt option
The addition of King also signals a strategic shift toward greater positional flexibility, allowing the staff to experiment with lineups that can match up against a variety of opponents.
With the regular season still months away, the team’s chemistry will be tested in practice, but early indications suggest that King’s work ethic and basketball IQ have already earned the respect of his new peers.
Fans attending the Birmingham exhibition will get their first glimpse of how the new pieces fit together, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric as the program looks to build on recent successes.