Auburn, AL — In another bold offseason move, Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl has dipped back into the NCAA transfer portal to land yet another towering presence for the team’s frontcourt. With the announcement of his latest addition — a physically dominant big man from a Power Five conference — Pearl has once again demonstrated his relentless commitment to building a roster equipped to contend not only in the SEC but also on the national stage.
The Tigers’ newest signee stands 6-foot-11, weighs in at over 240 pounds, and brings with him not just size, but significant collegiate experience, rim protection, and the kind of toughness that has become a hallmark of Pearl’s Auburn teams. As of Friday morning, multiple sources confirmed that Isaac Jones, the former Washington State standout, will officially join the Tigers for the 2025–26 season.
This marks Pearl’s third frontcourt addition from the portal this offseason and underscores his strategic shift toward enhancing the team’s size, rebounding, and interior defense following the departure of star big man Johni Broome to the NBA.
A Calculated Response to Key Departures
The loss of Broome, Auburn’s All-SEC center and the emotional leader of the team, left a major void in the paint. While the Tigers retained several key guards and wings, including Tre Donaldson and Denver Jones, the lack of proven interior depth was a pressing concern heading into the offseason.
In a matter of weeks, Pearl has gone to work. Auburn first secured a commitment from 6-foot-10 forward Fardaws Aimaq, a seasoned grad transfer with stops at Utah Valley, Texas Tech, and Cal. Then came the surprise pledge of Baye Ndongo, a rising sophomore and breakout shot-blocking force from Georgia Tech.
Now, with the addition of Isaac Jones, Auburn’s frontcourt is suddenly crowded — and dangerous.
“Bruce Pearl knew he had to replace Broome with multiple bodies,” one SEC assistant coach told ESPN. “What he’s done instead is built arguably one of the deepest frontcourts in the league.”
Isaac Jones: The Scouting Report
Jones may not be a household name yet among SEC faithful, but his body of work speaks for itself. As a senior at Washington State, Jones averaged 14.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 58% from the field. He was a driving force behind the Cougars’ surprise rise to the top half of the Pac-12 standings in 2024–25.
Before transferring to WSU, Jones dominated the junior college level at Wenatchee Valley College, where he led the NWAC in scoring and rebounding and earned All-American honors. His journey — from JUCO standout to Pac-12 star and now SEC hopeful — is a testament to his relentless work ethic and development arc.
Defensively, Jones is a force in drop coverage and has the mobility to defend stretch forwards. Offensively, he excels in the pick-and-roll, has a soft touch around the rim, and can occasionally stretch the floor with a 15-foot jumper.
While he’s not a three-point shooter by trade, Pearl believes his skillset fits Auburn’s up-tempo, rim-attacking philosophy perfectly.
“Isaac is a warrior in the paint,” Pearl said in a statement released by the university. “He gives us another physical presence who can rebound, defend, run the floor, and finish through contact. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Plains.”
Auburn’s Frontcourt Depth: Rebuilt and Ready
With Jones now on board, here’s how the Auburn frontcourt rotation shapes up:
- Isaac Jones (6-11) — Power, rebounding, veteran IQ
- Fardaws Aimaq (6-10) — Elite rebounder, interior scorer
- Baye Ndongo (6-9) — Athletic, shot-blocking machine
- Dylan Cardwell (6-11) — Returning senior, energy off the bench
- Chaney Johnson (6-7) — Versatile combo forward
- Johni Wilson (6-10) — Incoming freshman with long-term upside
This collection of size, experience, and versatility is exactly what Auburn lacked in key moments during the 2024 NCAA Tournament loss to Yale — a game in which they were out-rebounded and struggled with rim protection in crunch time.
Now, Pearl is hedging against that vulnerability by ensuring he has multiple bigs who can contribute on both ends of the floor.
What It Means for Auburn’s SEC and National Aspirations
The SEC landscape for 2025–26 is rapidly evolving, with traditional powers like Kentucky undergoing a transition under Mark Pope, and Arkansas rebuilding under John Calipari. Meanwhile, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida are retooling with big-time freshmen and portal additions of their own.
But few programs have been as aggressive in the transfer market as Auburn.
In addition to the three bigs, Auburn also secured a commitment from CJ Walker, a versatile wing from UCF who adds length and scoring. Pearl has been in contact with multiple backcourt players as well, looking to potentially round out the roster with another guard who can defend and shoot.
National pundits are taking notice.
“Auburn might be flying under the radar right now because there’s no splashy top-5 recruit,” said CBS Sports analyst Gary Parrish. “But if you look at the experience, the depth, and the versatility of this team, Bruce Pearl has quietly assembled one of the most complete rosters in the country.”
Early Top 25 projections from multiple outlets place Auburn between No. 8 and No. 14, depending on how the final roster shakes out.
Player Fit: How Jones Complements Pearl’s Scheme
Pearl loves to run — and his frontcourt players are expected to do more than just clog the paint. Jones fits that mold perfectly.
At Washington State, he frequently sprinted the floor on fast breaks, creating mismatches and drawing fouls. He also averaged over five offensive rebounds per 40 minutes, showing his nose for the ball and hustle mentality.
In Pearl’s offense, which prioritizes spacing and movement, Jones will likely serve as a screen-setter, short-roll threat, and occasional low-block option. With guards like Donaldson and Jones capable of penetrating, Jones could feast on dump-offs and putbacks.
Defensively, he’ll be counted on to anchor the second unit or even start depending on matchups. Pearl has never shied away from rotating bigs frequently to keep energy high and pressure on opposing post players.
Bruce Pearl’s Portal Strategy: A Masterclass
Pearl’s ability to identify need, evaluate talent across all levels, and act decisively in the portal has been a huge asset to Auburn’s program in recent years.
Since 2021, he’s landed impact transfers like:
- K.D. Johnson (Georgia)
- Wendell Green Jr. (Eastern Kentucky)
- Zep Jasper (College of Charleston)
- Johni Broome (Morehead State)
- Denver Jones (FIU)
Each filled a gap, brought leadership, and meshed well with Pearl’s culture.
Now, with Isaac Jones, he’s added another battle-tested forward who is hungry to win and experienced enough to contribute immediately.
“The portal is the new norm,” Pearl told reporters last week. “You have to treat it like free agency. And you can’t wait. If you see a guy who fits your culture, your system, and your needs — you go get him.”
What’s Next?
While Auburn’s frontcourt seems all but finalized, Pearl may not be done.
Rumors continue to circulate that the Tigers are pursuing a combo guard from the Big Ten and a sharpshooter from the ACC. Whether or not those deals materialize, one thing is clear — the Tigers are loading up for a serious run at the 2026 Final Four.
And with a reloaded frontcourt led by Isaac Jones, they might just have the firepower to do it.
Final Thoughts
Bruce Pearl’s latest portal coup is more than just another roster move — it’s a statement of intent. Auburn isn’t satisfied with competing; the Tigers are looking to dominate. By bringing in another skilled big man in Isaac Jones, Pearl has doubled down on a physical brand of basketball that will wear down opponents and travel well come March.
As the college basketball world continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, one thing remains constant: Bruce Pearl knows how to build a winner.
And with Jones in the fold, the road to an SEC title — and perhaps another deep NCAA Tournament run — just got a little bit clearer.