Tahaad Pettiford, a rising star on Auburn University’s men’s basketball team, has been arrested on suspicion of a DUI.
According to Lee Country arrest records reviewed by Us Weekly, Pettiford was booked at midnight on Saturday, July 12, for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was later released on $1,000 bail the same day.
Us has reached out to representatives for Auburn University for comment.
Pettiford released his own statement via Instagram on Saturday, addressing his arrest.
“Last night, I made a serious mistake and one that I take full responsibility for,” he wrote in his Instagram Stories. “My actions put myself and others at risk, and for that, I am deeply sorry. There is no excuse.”
He continued, “To my family, teammates, coaches, and fans, I know I’ve let you down. I understand the disappointment and concern this has caused, and I want you to know that I’m taking this seriously. This is not who I am, and not who I will be.”
Tahaad Pettiford Tahaad Pettiford IG
“I’m committed to learning from this moment and making meaningful, positive changes in my life. I’m grateful for the support and accountability of those around me, and I will work to earn back the trust I’ve lost,” Pettiford concluded.
The arrest comes weeks after Pettiford withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft. The young athlete was expected to be drafted in the mid first round or early second round.
At the time, he told ESPN he believes the extra year in college will help his future draft chances and allow him to take advantage of NIL opportunities.
“I was happy to go through the process, getting feedback from NBA teams,” Pettiford explained at the time. “Going back to Auburn is a better situation for me. I see myself being a higher pick next year. It wasn’t 100% this year, so I didn’t want to take that chance.”
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“Being a short guard, it won’t be easy to play in the league, but I know I can do it. It’s maybe not the right time,” he also said.
Pettiford’s return to the program has been a welcome one, Auburn Undercover reported in June, and the young athlete has become a leader for the team in a short amount of time.
Pettiford averaged 11.6 points and three assists for the Tigers as a freshman. He also helped lead the team to their SEC regular season title as well as an appearance in the 2025 Final Four.
