Auburn’s basketball program is actively reshaping its roster for the upcoming campaign, targeting two graduate‑level guards who have already secured a fifth year of eligibility through the transfer portal.
The Transfer Landscape
The market for experienced talent has drawn interest from a host of programs, but the Tigers appear to be among the most aggressive pursuers.
Dan Skillings Jr., a guard who spent his most recent season at Baylor, averaged 9.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the 2024‑25 campaign. After three years at Cincinnati, he transferred to Baylor and quickly became a reliable contributor, a trajectory that has attracted attention from analysts such as Jeff Goodman, who has listed Auburn among the schools showing strong interest.
Dug McDaniel, a point guard with a nomadic college career that includes stints at Michigan, Kansas State and Memphis, brings a blend of playmaking and scoring that could address Auburn’s need for backcourt depth. His eligibility for a fifth year, granted after a temporary injunction, makes him an attractive target for programs looking to bolster their guard rotation.
Multiple programs, including Arizona State, Stanford, USC and others, have been linked to both players, creating a crowded field that could influence the final decision. Analysts suggest that playing time in the final season of eligibility may be the decisive factor.
Head coach Steven Pearl, now in his second year leading the Tigers, has emphasized the importance of adding veteran presence to complement a frontcourt that remains one of the strongest in the conference.
In addition to the guard targets, Auburn has already secured commitments from forward George Kimble of Vanderbilt and overseas prospect Mantas Rubštavičius, both slated to debut in the 2026 cycle. These additions signal a strategy that blends domestic talent with international flair.
If the Tigers manage to land either Skillings or McDaniel — or both — they could transform a promising but youthful squad into a more balanced contender, giving Pearl a deeper bench and a better chance to compete for postseason honors.